U.S. patent number 7,164,438 [Application Number 10/191,920] was granted by the patent office on 2007-01-16 for electronic pickup camera and control method of electronic pickup camera.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Olympus Corporation. Invention is credited to Takeshi Kindaichi.
United States Patent |
7,164,438 |
Kindaichi |
January 16, 2007 |
Electronic pickup camera and control method of electronic pickup
camera
Abstract
An electronic pickup camera including an electronic pickup
element which photoelectrically converts an object image to form an
image signal, an image conversion unit which converts the image
signal formed by the electronic pickup element to image data of a
predetermined format, a storage unit which stores the image data
converted by the image conversion unit, a transmission unit which
enables transmission of the image data stored in the storage unit
to an external device, and a control unit which makes a decision as
to whether an external device to which the transmission unit
transmits the image data is a predetermined external device, and
selects an accompanying process for the transmission, on the basis
of a result of the decision. One embodiment of the invention
relates to the deletion of the transmitted image data. For example,
it is possible to provide an electronic camera which determines
whether a device to which image data is transmitted is an
operator's PC, and automatically deletes transmitted data only when
the electronic camera determines that the device is the operator's
PC.
Inventors: |
Kindaichi; Takeshi (Hachiouji,
JP) |
Assignee: |
Olympus Corporation (Tokyo,
JP)
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Family
ID: |
19045390 |
Appl.
No.: |
10/191,920 |
Filed: |
July 9, 2002 |
Prior Publication Data
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Document
Identifier |
Publication Date |
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US 20030012566 A1 |
Jan 16, 2003 |
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Foreign Application Priority Data
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Jul 10, 2001 [JP] |
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2001-209781 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
348/207.1;
348/E5.043 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H04N
1/2112 (20130101); H04N 1/2125 (20130101); H04N
5/23203 (20130101); H04N 1/00204 (20130101); H04N
2101/00 (20130101); H04N 2201/0055 (20130101); H04N
2201/218 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
H04N
5/225 (20060101) |
Field of
Search: |
;348/211.99-211.4,231.4,207.1 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Foreign Patent Documents
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11-136612 |
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May 1999 |
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JP |
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2000-156813 |
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Jun 2000 |
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JP |
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Primary Examiner: Srivastava; Vivek
Assistant Examiner: Henn; Timothy J.
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Pokotylo; John C. Straub &
Pokotylo
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. An electronic pickup camera comprising: an electronic pickup
element which photoelectrically converts an object image to form an
image signal; an image conversion unit which converts the image
signal formed by the electronic pickup element to image data of a
predetermined format; a storage unit which stores the image data
converted by the image conversion unit; a transmission unit which
enables transmission of the image data stored in the storage unit
to an external device; and a control unit which decides whether an
external device, to which the transmission unit transmits the image
data, is a predetermined external device, and selects an
accompanying process for transmission of the image data based on
the result of the decision, wherein when the external device to
which the transmission unit transmits the image data is the
predetermined external device, the accompanying process selected by
the control unit includes a process of deleting the transmitted
image data from the storage unit, and wherein when the external
device to which the transmission unit transmits the image data is
not the predetermined external device, the accompanying process
selected by the control unit includes a process of setting an
undeletable attribution to the transmitted image data stored in the
storage unit.
2. The electronic pickup camera according to claim 1, wherein the
accompanying processes selected by the control unit includes a
process of deleting the transmitted image data from the storage
unit only if the transmission or the image data by the transmission
unit succeeds.
3. The electronic pickup camera according to claim 1, further
comprising a display unit, wherein when the external device to
which the transmission unit transmits the image data is the
predetermined external device, the accompanying process selected by
the control unit includes a process of displaying, on the display
unit, information indicating that the transmitted image data may be
deleted from the storage unit.
4. The electronic pickup camera according to claim 1, further
comprising a display unit, wherein when the external device to
which the transmission unit transmits the image data is not the
predetermined external device, the accompanying process selected by
the control unit includes a process of displaying information, on
the display unit, indicating that the transmitted image data may
not be deleted from the storage unit.
5. The electronic pickup camera according to claim 1, further
comprising a storage medium in which information for identifying an
external device is stored, wherein, the control unit determines
that an external device identified by the information stored in the
storage medium is the predetermined external device.
6. The electronic pickup camera according to claim 5, wherein the
information for identifying an external device, which is stored in
the storage medium, is stored in list form.
7. The electronic pickup camera according to claim 5, wherein the
transmission unit wirelessly transmits the image data in accordance
with Bluetooth standards, the control unit recognizes the external
device by using a link key adopted in Bluetooth standards.
8. An electronic pickup camera comprising: an electronic pickup
element which photoelectrically converts an object image to form an
image signal; an image conversion unit which converts the image
signal formed by the electronic pickup element to image data of a
predetermined format; a storage unit which stores the image data
converted by the image conversion unit; a transmission unit which
enables transmission of the image data stored in the storage unit
to an external device; and a control unit which decides whether an
external device, to which the transmission unit transmits the image
data, is a predetermined external device, and selects an
accompanying process for transmission of the image data based on
the result of the decision, wherein the control unit determines
whether the external device to which the transmission unit
transmits the image data is the predetermined external device, on
the basis of a service capable of being provided by the external
device.
9. The electronic pickup camera according to claim 8, wherein when
the external device to which the transmission unit transmits the
image data is capable of providing a service of storing image data,
the control unit determines that the external device is the
predetermined external device.
10. The electronic pickup camera according to claim 8, wherein the
transmission unit wirelessly transmits the image data in accordance
with Bluetooth standards, the control unit searches for the service
capable being provided by the external unit, by using a Service
Discovery Protocol adopted in Bluetooth standards.
11. An electronic pickup camera comprising: an electronic pickup
element which photoelectrically converts an object image to form an
image signal; an image conversion unit which converts the image
signal formed by the electronic pickup element to image data of a
predetermined format; a storage unit which stores the image data
converted by the image conversion unit; a transmission unit which
enables transmission of the image data stored in the storage unit
to an external device; a control unit which decides whether an
external device, to which the transmission unit transmits the image
data, is a predetermined external device, and selects an
accompanying process for transmission of the image data based on
the result of the decision; and a display unit, wherein when the
external device to which the transmission unit transmits the image
data is not the predetermined external device, the accompanying
process selected by the control unit includes a process of
displaying information, on the display unit, indicating that the
transmitted image data may not be deleted from the storage
unit.
12. An electronic pickup camera comprising: an electronic pickup
element which photoelectrically converts an object image to form an
image signal; an image conversion unit which converts the image
signal formed by the electronic pickup element to image data of a
predetermined format; a storage unit which stores the image data
converted by the image conversion unit; a transmission unit which
enables transmission of the image data stored in the storage unit
to an external device; a control unit which decides whether an
external device, to which the transmission unit transmits the image
data, is a predetermined external device, and selects an
accompanying process for transmission of the image data based on
the result of the decision; and a storage medium in which
information for identifying an external device is stored, wherein,
the control unit determines that an external device identified by
the information stored in the storage medium is the predetermined
external device, wherein the transmission unit wirelessly transmits
the image data in accordance with Bluetooth standards, and wherein
the control unit recognizes the external device by using a link key
adopted in Bluetooth standards.
13. A control method for an electronic pickup camera comprising:
photoelectrically converting an object image and forming an image
signal; converting the image signal to image data of a
predetermined format; storing the image data in a storage unit;
enabling transmission of the image data stored to an external
device; and determining whether an external device to which the
image data is transmitted is a predetermined external device; and
selecting an accompanying process of the transmission, on the basis
of the determination, wherein if the external device is determined
to be the predetermined external device, the accompanying process
selected includes deleting the transmitted image data from a
storage unit, and wherein if the external device is determined not
to be the predetermined external device, the accompanying process
selected includes setting an undeletable attribute to the
transmitted image data stored in the storage unit.
14. The control method for an electronic pickup camera according to
claim 13, wherein only when the transmission of the image data in
the transmission step succeeds, the accompanying process selected
includes a process of deleting the transmitted image data from the
storage unit.
15. The control method for an electronic pickup camera according to
claim 13, wherein if it is determined that the external device is
the predetermined external device, the accompanying process
selected includes displaying, on a display unit, information
indicating that the transmitted image data may be deleted from the
storage unit.
16. The control method for an electronic pickup camera according to
claim 13, wherein if it is determined that the external device is
not the predetermined external device, the accompanying process
selected includes a process of displaying, on a display unit,
information indicating that the transmitted image data may not be
deleted from the storage unit.
17. The control method for an electronic pickup camera according to
claim 13, wherein if the external device is registered in the
electronic pickup camera, it is determined that the external device
is the predetermined external device.
18. The control method for an electronic pickup camera according to
claim 17, wherein the step of transmitting wirelessly transmits the
image data in accordance with Bluetooth standards, and wherein, the
external device is recognized with a link key adopted in Bluetooth
standards.
19. A control method for an electronic pickup camera comprising:
photoelectrically converting an object image and forming an image
signal; converting the image signal to image data of a
predetermined format; storing the image data in a storage unit;
enabling transmission of the image data stored to an external
device; and determining whether an external device to which the
image data is transmitted is a predetermined external device; and
selecting an accompanying process of the transmission, on the basis
of the determination, wherein it is determined whether the external
device is the predetermined external device, based on a service
capable of being provided by the external device.
20. The control method for an electronic pickup camera according to
claim 19, wherein when the external device is capable of providing
a service of storing received image data, it is determined that the
external device is the predetermined external device.
21. The control method for an electronic pickup camera according to
claim 19, wherein the step of transmitting wirelessly transmits the
image data in accordance with Bluetooth standards, and wherein the
step of determining searches for the service capable being provided
by the external unit, by a Service Discovery Protocol adopted in
Bluetooth standards.
22. A control method for an electronic pickup camera comprising:
photoelectrically converting an object image and forming an image
signal; converting the image signal to image data of a
predetermined format; storing the image data in a storage unit;
enabling transmission of the image data stored to an external
device; and determining whether an external device to which the
image data is transmitted is a predetermined external device; and
selecting an accompanying process of the transmission, on the basis
of the determination, wherein if it is determined that the external
device is not the predetermined external device, the accompanying
process selected includes a process of displaying, on a display
unit, information indicating that the transmitted image data may
not be deleted from the storage unit.
23. A control method for an electronic pickup camera comprising:
photoelectrically converting an object image and forming an image
signal; converting the image signal to image data of a
predetermined format; storing the image data in a storage unit;
enabling transmission of the image data stored to an external
device; and determining whether an external device to which the
image data is transmitted is a predetermined external device; and
selecting an accompanying process of the transmission, on the basis
of the determination, wherein if the external device is registered
in the electronic pickup camera, it is determined that the external
device is the predetermined external device, wherein the step of
transmitting wirelessly transmits the image data in accordance with
Bluetooth standards, and wherein, the external device is recognized
with a link key adopted in Bluetooth standards.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
The present application is based upon and claims the benefit of
priority from the prior Japanese Patent Application 2001-209781,
filed Jul. 10, 2001, and the entire contents of the application are
incorporated herein by reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an electronic pickup camera
capable of wireless transmission of picked-up image data to an
external storage device, and to a control method thereof.
2. Description of the Related Art
A conventional electronic pickup camera converts an image signal,
picked up by an electronic pickup element, into compressed data and
stores the compressed data in a semiconductor storage medium
provided in the camera. A semiconductor storage element is a
popular storage medium for such an electronic pickup camera. In
some cases, the semiconductor storage element is fixedly mounted in
the camera, and in other cases it is detachably mounted in the
camera. The capacity of the semiconductor storage element to store
image data is generally limited, thus the element cannot store a
large quantity of image data.
Since Semiconductor storage elements are expensive, it is popular
practice to transmit image data temporarily stored in a
semiconductor storage element to an external storage device and
store the image data therein, instead of preparing a plurality of
semiconductor storage elements to store a large amount of the
picked-up image data in these semiconductor storage elements.
Examples of the external storage device include personal computers
(hereinafter referred to as PC(s)) and PDAs (personal digital
assistants). The term "external storage device" used herein
indicates an external device capable of storing transmitted image
data.
When image data stored in a semiconductor storage element of an
electronic pickup camera is ready to be transmitted to an external
storage device, the electronic pickup camera and the external
storage device are usually connected with a connecting cable for
data transmission. Then, the electronic pickup camera is driven and
controlled from the external storage device, and the image data
stored in the semiconductor storage element is read out,
transmitted and stored in a storage medium in the external storage
device.
During the transmission of the image data, the electronic pickup
camera and the external storage device need to be located within a
length of the connecting cable for data transmission. Therefore,
when the electronic pickup camera is used at a location remote from
the external storage device, the electronic pickup camera needs to
be brought into the range where it can be connected to the external
storage device with the connecting cable for data transmission.
Consequently, a method for transmitting image data picked up by an
electronic pickup camera to an external storage device by using a
telephone line (including a cellular telephone line) has been
thought out.
In this manner, image data picked up by an electronic pickup camera
has typically been transmitted to an external storage device via a
telephone line (including a cellular telephone line) and stored in
the external storage device.
When an operator of the electronic pickup camera determines that
the image data transmitted to the external storage device no longer
needs to be stored in the storage medium within the electronic
pickup camera, the operator manually deletes the transmitted image
data from the storage medium of the electronic pickup camera.
On the other hand, the image data picked up by the electronic
pickup camera may be transmitted to an external device which does
not have an image data recording capability (or which only has a
storage capability insufficient to record image data stored in the
semiconductor storage element in the camera). A cellular telephone
and a printer are examples of external devices having no or little
capacity to store image data.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In many cases, when image data stored in a recording medium of an
electronic pickup camera are transmitted to an external device,
various accompanying processes are performed in addition to the
transmission. One example of these accompanying processes is
deleting transmitted image data from the recording medium of the
electronic pickup camera.
However, after the image data stored in the storage medium of the
electronic pickup camera has been transmitted to the external
device, there are some cases in which it is appropriate to delete
the image data from the storage medium, and there are other cases
in which it is inappropriate to delete the image data from the
storage medium. The decision of whether or not to delete the image
data depends on the external device.
An example of a case where it is appropriate to delete the image
data from the storage medium is when an operator of the electronic
pickup camera transmits the image data to a PC installed in the
operator's house or in his/her office and records the image data on
a recording medium in the PC. In this case, since the transmitted
image is recorded in the PC, which can be operated by the operator,
there is normally no problem deleting the transmitted image data
from the storage medium of the electronic pickup camera. Moreover,
it is rational to delete the transmitted image data from the camera
to increase the storage capacity of the storage medium of the
camera.
An example of a case where it is inappropriate to delete the image
data from the storage medium is when the operator of the electronic
pickup camera transmits image data to a PC which the operator
cannot freely operate (for example, the external device is PC that
belongs to another person). In this case, if the operator deletes
the transmitted data from the storage medium in his/her electronic
pickup camera, he or she faces serious problems when trying to
recover the transmitted data. Accordingly, deleting transmitted
image data from the storage medium of the electronic pickup camera,
in many cases, results in the loss of the precious image data. In
addition, if an external device, to which the image data are
transmitted, does not have the capability to store image data, or
has insufficient capacity, it is inappropriate to delete
transmitted image data from the storage medium of the electronic
pickup camera, since the deleted image data may not have been
stored in the storage medium in the external device.
When the image data stored in the storage medium of the electronic
pickup camera is to be deleted after transmission, the operator of
the electronic pickup camera manually performs the deletion of the
image data based on his/her judgement. However, there is a risk
that the operator may inadvertently delete desired image data as a
result of a mistaken operation. In addition, the operator may feel
uneasy about deleting image data.
The invention has been made in view of the above-described
problems, and relates to processes accompanying the processing of
transmitting image data to an external device from a storage medium
of an electronic pickup camera. A preferred example of such
accompanying processes is a process relating to the deletion of
transmitted image data from the storage medium in the camera. The
process relating to the deletion of image data includes deleting
image data from the storage medium in the camera, displaying a
message like "Image data may (or may not) be deleted", and setting
an undeletable (or deletable) attribute to the image data.
However, the accompanying processes to which the invention is
directed are not limited to the processes relating to the deletion
of transmitted image data from the storage medium. For example, a
process of sending an e-mail performed as an accompanying process
of transmission of image data from the image pick up camera to a
friend's cellular phone, and a process of sending report data
performed as an accompanying process of transmission of image data
to a PC in the operator's office, are within the scope of the
invention. Of course, such accompanying processes include not only
processes to be executed after the transmissions, but also include
processes to be executed before or during the transmissions. An
example of the processes to be executed before the transmission is
the process of modifying image data according to the environment of
the external device (such as, conversion of data format). An
example of the processes to be executed during the transmission is
recording the transmission logs in real time.
The invention provides a construction which, when image data stored
in a storage medium of an electronic pickup camera are to be
transmitted to an external device, determines whether the external
device is a predetermined external device or not, and selects an
appropriate accompanying process of the transmission according to
the result of the decision. Accordingly, the invention makes it
possible to select an appropriate accompanying process of the
transmission process, according to the external device to which the
image data are transmitted.
Two examples of a predetermined external device are explained
below.
The first example of a predetermined external device is an external
device registered in the electronic pickup camera. The operator of
the electronic pickup camera may register PCs installed in the
operator's house or his/her office, in the electronic pickup
camera.
The second example of a predetermined external device is an
external device capable of providing a predetermined service.
Specifically, whether the external device to which the image data
are transmitted is a predetermined external device or not is
decided based on the service that the external device provides. A
predetermined service is, for example, a service of storing the
transmitted image data in the external device or a service of
delivering the transmitted image data to a plurality of PCs
including a PC installed in the operator's house. In this example
of a predetermined service, a printer having no image recording
function is not regarded as having a predetermined service, thereby
is not regarded as a predetermined external device.
Two examples of an accompanying process selected when the external
device is a predetermined device, and two preferred examples for an
accompanying process selected when the external device is not a
predetermined device, are explained below.
The first example of an accompanying process selected when the
external device is a predetermined external device is deleting the
transmitted image data from the storage medium of the electronic
pickup camera. In this example, since the electronic pickup camera
automatically deletes the image data, the operation of the
electronic pickup camera becomes easy. Of course, if the
transmission of image data fails, the image data should not be
deleted from the storage medium of the electronic pickup
camera.
The second example of an accompanying process selected when the
external device is a predetermined external device is displaying a
message to inform that the transmitted image data may (or should)
be deleted from the storage medium. In this case, suggesting image
data deletion to the operator may elevate any uneasiness in
deleting the image data.
The first example of an accompanying process selected when the
external device is not a predetermined external device is setting
an undeletable attribute to the image data stored in the storage
medium. In this case, the operator is prevented from erroneously
deleting the image data that should not be deleted.
The second example of an accompanying processes selected when the
external device is not a predetermined external device is
displaying a message to inform the operator that the transmitted
image data may (or should) not be deleted from the storage medium
of the electronic pickup camera. In this case, displaying a warning
message to the operator reduces the possibility that the operator
might erroneously delete image data that should or may not be
deleted.
There are a plurality of methods for identifying an external device
and searching for a service which can be provided by the external
device. A person who implements the invention may appropriately
select an available method according to the type of the
transmission.
For example, in the case where the transmission is wireless
transmission based on Bluetooth standards, the remote external
device can be identified with a link key. The link key is a key
used for mutual authentication in wireless communication based on
Bluetooth standards. Bluetooth devices that are newly connected
together generate a common 128-bit key called a link key, and share
the link key for authenticating each other. In subsequent
communications, both Bluetooth devices authenticate each other on
the basis of the fact that the remote device at the other end has
the same link key. By using this link key, it is possible to easily
identify a device to which the image data are transmitted. In
addition, a Bluetooth address may also be used instead of the link
key.
In the case where transmission is wireless transmission based on
Bluetooth standards, it is possible to search for a service which
can be provided by the external device to which the image data are
transmitted, by using the SDP (Service Discovery Protocol). The SDP
is a protocol for searching for services provided by a remote
device.
In the case of transmission which is based on LAN communication, an
address called "MAC address", which is unique to each device, is
contained in the header of a packet, whereby it is possible to
identify a remote-side external device by using its MAC
address.
The electronic pickup camera according to the invention is not
limited to a camera-dedicated device. The invention is directed to
all kinds of electronic devices having electronic image pickup
functions (including cellular telephones, PDAS, watches, notebook
personal computers). Examples of storage media which can be adopted
in the electronic pickup camera are semiconductor storage elements,
HDDs, MOs, CD-RWs, DVD-ROMS, DVD-RWs, etc. Any of these storage
media may be built in or detachably attached to the electronic
pickup camera.
External devices of the invention encompasses external devices
(external storage device) having the capability to store image data
and an external device having no capability to store image data.
For example, PCs, PDAs, printers, cellular telephones, data servers
and display devices are examples of external devices that may be
used with the present invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the construction of an electronic
pickup camera in an embodiment of an electronic pickup camera
according to the invention.
FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating an image pickup operation and an
image storage operation in an embodiment of an electronic pickup
camera according to the invention.
FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating an electronic image data
transmission operation in an embodiment of an electronic pickup
camera according to the invention.
FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating in detail a first example of the
contents of Step S43 in FIG. 3.
FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating in detail a second example of
the contents of Step S43 in FIG. 3.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
An embodiment of the invention will be described below in detail
with reference to the accompanying drawings. FIG. 1 is a block
diagram showing the construction of an electronic pickup camera of
this embodiment.
As shown in FIG. 1, the electronic pickup camera of this embodiment
includes a pickup unit 1, a display unit 3, a storage unit 4, an
input unit 5, a wireless communication unit 6 and a power source 7
coupled to a control unit 2. The pickup unit 1 has an electronic
pickup element which photoelectrically converts an object image to
form an image signal, and an electronic conversion unit which
converts the image signal formed by the electronic pickup element
to image data of a predetermined format.
Moreover, an external device 8 having a second wireless
communication unit 9 is disposed outside the electronic pickup
camera.
The electronic pickup element photoelectrically converts an object
image to form an analog image signal. The image conversion unit
digitalizes this analog image signal and converts the digital image
signal into compressed image data of a predetermined format. An
example of an electronic pickup element is a solid-state pickup
element such as a CCD or a CMOS.
The display unit 3 displays the picked-up image based on the image
data formed by the pickup unit 1, and operating information. For
example, a liquid crystal element is adopted as the display unit 3.
The storage unit 4 stores the image data formed by the pickup unit
1. For example, a non-volatile semiconductor memory is adopted as
the storage unit 4. The non-volatile semiconductor memory may be
fixed in the electronic pickup camera or may be detachably attached
thereto.
A release switch, a power switch, a zoom switch and an image data
automatic transmission setting switch are included in the input
unit 5. When the release switch is depressed, an object image is
picked up. When the power switch is turned on, the control unit 2
moves the lens of a pickup optical system located at a retracted
position, forward to a wide-angle position, and starts to supply
power from the power source 7 to each unit of the electronic pickup
camera. When the power switch is turned off, the control unit 2
retracts the pickup optical system into the retracted position of
the body of the electronic pickup camera, and partially or wholly
stops the supply of power from the power source 7 to each unit of
the electronic pickup camera. The image data automatic transmission
setting switch is a switch which functions as a specifying unit for
specifying whether the image data stored in the storage unit 4 is
to be automatically transmitted to the external device 8 via the
wireless communication unit 6.
The wireless communication unit 6 is an electronic circuit which
transmits the image data stored in the storage unit 4 to the
external device 8. The wireless communication unit 6 applies for
example, an appropriate communication protocol to the image data,
thereby forming data to be transmitted, and then transmits this
data (e.g., wirelessly)
The power source 7 supplies power to the entire electronic pickup
camera, and uses batteries having appropriate capacities and
voltages. It is preferable to construct the electronic pickup
camera so that it can also receive power supplied from an external
power source. The power from the power source 7, even if the power
switch is turned off, is continuously supplied to the control unit
2 and the wireless communication unit 6 at least while the image
data is being transmitted.
The control unit 2 drives and controls the entire electronic pickup
camera including the pickup unit 1, the display unit 3, the storage
unit 4, the input unit 5, the wireless communication unit 6 and the
power source 7. The control unit 2 is a programmed processing unit
such as a CPU.
The electronic pickup camera is capable of wirelessly transmitting
the image data stored in the storage unit 4 to the second wireless
communication unit 9 of the external device 8 via the wireless
communication unit 6. The method of wireless communication between
the wireless communication unit 6 of the electronic pickup camera
and the second wireless communication unit 9 of the external
storage device 8 uses, for example, Bluetooth (registered
trademark). Bluetooth (registered trademark) is a standard for
short range wireless communication for providing connection among
various digital devices such as cellular telephones, PDAs, notebook
PCs, digital cameras and printers, and is set by a standardization
group, Bluetooth SIG (Special Interest Group). In the present
application, the term "Bluetooth" (registered trademark) is used
not as a trademark but as a term which means a standard. Namely, in
the present application, Bluetooth (registered trademark) means
Bluetooth (registered trademark) which is the communication
standard prescribed by Bluetooth SIG, as well as an improved,
expanded and modified communication standard of Bluetooth
(registered trademark).
Examples of the external device 8 are various PCs such as notebook
PCs, PDAs, printers, cellular telephones and data servers. The
second wireless communication unit 9 may be built in the external
device 8, or the second wireless communication unit 9 may also be
remote from the external device 8 with a data transmission path
interposed therebetween. For example, a construction may be adopted
in which a cellular telephone (the second wireless communication
unit 9) disposed near the electronic pickup camera receives image
data from the electronic pickup camera and the image data received
by this cellular telephone is transmitted to a PC (the external
device 8) at a remote location via a cellular telephone
network.
Of course, a communication method that may be used in accordance
with the invention (i.e., the method of communication between the
wireless communication unit 6 on the electronic pickup camera side
and the second wireless communication unit 9) is not limited to
Bluetooth. Other wired or wireless communication methods are
usable. For example, file transfer using LANs (such as ftp) may be
used.
FIG. 2 is a view illustrating the manner in which the control unit
2 in the electronic pickup camera controls a pickup exposure
operation and a recording operation of picked-up image data.
When the power switch (not shown) of the input unit 5 is turned on
by an operator, power from the power source 7 is supplied to the
control unit 2, the pickup unit 1, the display unit 3 and the
wireless communication unit 6, and the control unit 2 starts
initialization (Step S1). In the initialization, the control unit 2
drives and controls the pickup optical system to move forward from
the retracted position where the pickup optical system is
accommodated in the body of the electronic pickup camera, to the
wide-angle end position where the pickup optical system can pick up
an image, thereby bringing the electronic pickup camera into a
pickup-enabled state.
When the initialization of Step S1 is completed, the control unit 2
starts a built-in timer A (not shown) to initiate the measurement
of elapsed time (Step S2). The timer A measures the time for which
the input unit 5 is not being operated. When an operation of the
input unit 5 occurs, the timer A is reset once, and again measures
the elapsed time from the point of time of resetting the timer
A.
When the timer A starts in Step S2, the control unit 2 checks the
amount of charge in a power capacitor for flash emission (not
shown). If the amount of charge in the charge capacitor does not
satisfy a predetermined amount, the control unit 2 performs a
charging operation (Step S3).
Then, the control unit 2 determines whether a zoom switch (not
shown) provided in the input unit 5 has been operated to instruct
the pickup optical system to zoom in or zoom out (Step S4).
If in Step S4 the control unit 2 determines that the pickup optical
system has been instructed to zoom in or zoom out, the control unit
2 drives and controls a zoom driving function (not shown) to cause
the pickup optical system to zoom in or zoom out (Step S5). If the
pickup optical system is instructed to zoom in, the control unit 2
drives the zoom driving function to move the pickup optical system
forward, from the wide-angle end side to the telephoto end side. If
the pickup optical system is instructed to zoom out, the control
unit 2 drives the zoom driving function to move the pickup optical
system backward, from the telephoto end side toward the wide-angle
end side.
Then, the control unit 2 restarts the timer A in Step S6. This
restarting may also be executed before Step S5. Then, the control
unit 2 executes Step S7. In Step S7, the control unit 2 determines
whether the release switch of the input unit 5 has been turned
on.
The release switch is a switch which is operated in two steps.
First, when the release switch is brought to a half depressed
state, a first release switch 1R is turned on to measure the object
distance and the object brightness. Then, when the release switch
is brought to a fully depressed state, a second release switch 2R
is turned on. When the second release switch 2R is turned on, the
focus of the pickup optical system is adjusted based on the
measured result of the object distance, and the aperture value of
the pickup optical system and the electronic shutter time of the
pickup element of the pickup unit 1 are set based on the measured
result of the object brightness, to pick up an object image.
An operation associated with this release switch will be described
later in Steps S8 to S18.
If the control unit 2 determines in Step S7 that the first release
switch IR has been turned on, the control unit 2 drives a light
measuring function (not shown) to measure the object brightness
(Step S8). The light measuring function uses a publicly known light
measuring method. For example, there is a method of computing a
brightness value from an object image signal photoelectrically
converted by the pickup element of the pickup unit 1 or a method of
computing a object brightness value from a photoelectric current
occurring due to object light incident on a light measuring
element.
Then, the control unit 2 drives a publicly known distance measuring
function for measuring the distance to an object (not shown) to
measure the distance to the object (Step S9). An example of the
publicly known distance measuring function is a triangulation
method.
This triangulation method has a passive method, an active method,
and a hybrid method in which the passive method and the active
method are combined. The passive method divides light coming from
an object into separate lights, receives the respective lights at a
pair of light sensors, compares the outputs of the line sensors
with each other, and measures the distance to the object. The
passive method may also use an auxiliary light source such as a
flash unit for emitting illuminating light toward an object when
the brightness and the contrast of the object are low.
The active method measures the distance to an object by using an
infrared light emitting element for projecting an infrared beam
onto the object, and a position detecting element which is disposed
away from the infrared light emitting element by a predetermined
base line length and receives an infrared beam reflected from the
object.
When the distance measurement of Step S9 is completed, the control
unit 2 determines whether the second release switch 2R has been
turned on (Step S10). If the second release switch 2R is turned
off, the control unit 2 determines whether the first release switch
1R has been turned on (Step S11). If the first release switch 1R is
also turned off in Step S11, the control unit 2 proceeds the
processing of Step S18 without picking up an image. On the other
hand, if the first release switch 1R is still on in Step S11, the
control unit 2 returns to Step S10 and again determines whether the
second release switch 2R is on.
If the control unit 2 determines in Step S10 that the second
release switch 2R has been turned on, the control unit 2 drives a
focus adjusting function of the pickup optical system (not shown)
to adjust the pickup optical system to a focus position, by using
the distance value measured in Step S9 (Step S12).
Then, the control unit 2 drives the pickup unit 1 to pick up an
image of the object (Step S13). Namely, the control unit 2
determines the aperture value of the pickup optical system and the
exposure time of the pickup element of the pickup unit 1, by using
the measured light value obtained in Step S8. The control unit 2
drives the aperture stop of the pickup optical system according to
the determined aperture value. Then, the control unit 2 drives an
electronic shutter according to the determined exposure time to
expose the pickup element to an object image. This object image to
which the pickup element is exposed is photoelectrically converted
by the pickup element, whereby an analog image signal is
formed.
If it is determined from the result of the light measurement of
Step S8 that the object is dark, a flash unit may be activated to
illuminate the object. The analog image signal is converted to a
digital signal and then converted into predetermined compressed
digital data, by the image conversion unit. Examples of the format
of the compressed digital image data are the JPEG format and the
TIFF format.
When the pickup process is completed, the control unit 2 converts
the compressed digital image data formed by the pickup unit 1, as
required, and supplies the image data to the display unit 3 to
display the picked-up image (Step S14).
When the picked-up object image is displayed on the display unit 3,
the control unit 2 starts a built-in timer B to start measuring the
length of time the image is displayed on the display unit 3.
Then, the control unit 2 stores the compressed digital image data
formed by the pickup unit 1 into the storage unit 4 (Step S15).
When the image data are stored in the storage unit 4, the address
data of the storage unit 4 at which the image data are stored and
attribute data for specifying whether the deletion of the stored
image data is possible are stored together.
When the storage of the image data into the storage unit 4 is
complete, the control unit 2 determines the elapsed time of the
timer B which was started when the picked-up image was displayed on
the display unit 3 in Step S14 (Step S16). If in Step S16 the
display time of the picked-up image on the display unit 3 elapses a
predetermined time, the control unit 2 stops the display of the
picked-up image on the display unit 3 (Step S17). If in Step S16
the predetermined time has not yet elapsed, Step S16 is repeated
until the predetermined time elapses.
As described above, when it is determined in Step S7 that the first
release switch is turned on and it is determined in Step S10 that
the second release switch is turned on, the object image is picked
up, and the image data are stored in the storage unit 4. In
addition, the picked-up image is displayed on the display unit 3
for a predetermined time. The object image is not displayed in any
other case. After that, the control unit 2 restarts the timer A
(Step S18) and proceeds to Step S19.
In Step S19, similar to the initialization of Step S1, the control
unit 2 determines whether the power switch is in its on state. If
the on state of the power switch is confirmed, the control unit 2
determines whether a preset predetermined time has elapsed since
the timer A started in Step S2 (Step S20). If the predetermined
time has not elapsed, the control unit 2 returns to Step S3 and
again executes the charge check of the flash unit and the following
steps, and continues to maintain the state in which an object image
can be picked up.
On the other hand, if it is determined in Step S19 that the power
switch is off or it is determined in Step S20 that the preset
predetermined time has elapsed from the start of the timer A, the
control unit 2 performs the end processing of the electronic pickup
camera (Step S21).
In this end processing, the pickup optical system is moved backward
to the retracted position. The control unit 2 continues the supply
of power from the power source 7 to the storage unit 4 and the
wireless communication unit 6, but stops the supply of power from
the power source 7 to the pickup unit 1 and the display unit 3.
When the end processing is completed, the control unit 2 makes a
decision as to the on/off state of the image data automatic
transmission setting switch provided in the input unit 5 (Step
S22). The image data automatic transmission setting switch is a
switch for setting whether the image data stored in the storage
unit 4 is to be automatically transmitted to the external device
8.
If the automatic transmission setting switch is on, the control
unit 2 performs automatic transmission of the image data.
Specifically, the control unit 2 reads out the image data stored in
the storage unit 4, and drives and controls the wireless
communication unit 6 to communicate wirelessly with the second
wireless communication unit 9 of the external device 8 and perform
transmission of the image data (Step S23). Details of the
transmission operation of the image data will be described later
with reference to FIG. 3.
If it is determined in Step S22 that the automatic transmission
setting switch is off (in this case, the automatic transmission of
the image data is not performed) or if the automatic transmission
of the image data in Step S23 is completed, the control unit 2
brings the electronic pickup camera to a halt state (Step S24).
The halt state is a power saving state and a standby state. In this
halt state, many functions including the pickup function of the
electronic pickup camera are halted, but the wireless communication
unit 6 is able to receive an image data communication request
signal from the second wireless communication unit 9. The halt
state comes to an end when, during the halt state, the second
wireless communication unit 9 transmits an image data communication
request signal and the first wireless communication unit 6 receives
the image data communication request signal and the received
information is transmitted to the control unit 2. In addition, when
the power switch is turned on, the halt state comes to an end.
When the halt state comes to an end, the control unit 2 determines
whether the wireless communication unit 6 has received an image
data communication request signal from the second wireless
communication unit 9 (Step S25).
If the control unit 2 determines that the image data communication
request signal has been received, the control unit 2 determines
whether the automatic transmission setting switch of the input unit
5 is on (Step S26). If the control unit 2 determines that the
automatic transmission setting switch is on, the control unit 2
returns to Step S23 to execute an image data transmission operation
(Step S23). If the control unit 2 determines that the automatic
transmission setting switch is off (i.e., automatic transmission is
disabled), the control unit 2 returns to Step S24 and again enters
the halt state.
If the control unit 2 determines in Step S25 that an image data
communication request signal has not been received, the control
unit 2 transfers control to Step S1.
Thus, in this embodiment, the electronic pickup camera is started
by the power switch, and the image data formed by the pickup unit 1
through the pickup operation of Steps S1 to S18 are stored in the
storage unit 4. When the power switch of the electronic pickup
camera is turned off, or when the electronic pickup camera is not
operated for a predetermined time or more, the image data are
automatically transmitted to the external device 8 (however, only
if the image data communication request signal is set to be on).
This transmission is also enabled by an image data transmission
request from the external device 8.
A detailed operation of the image data transmission of Step S23
will be described with reference to FIG. 3.
In this embodiment, Bluetooth (registered trademark) may be used as
the communication standard for the wireless communication unit 6
and the second wireless communication unit 9. Using Bluetooth
(registered trademark) enables both units to become a master or a
slave. Specifically, when the wireless communication unit 6
receives a communication request from the second wireless
communication unit 9, the wireless communication unit 6 is set to
be a slave and the second wireless communication unit 9 is set to
be a master. Conversely, when the wireless communication unit 6
does not receive a communication request from the second wireless
communication unit 9 and receives a response to a communication
request sent by the wireless communication unit 6 from the second
wireless communication unit 9, the wireless communication unit 6 is
set to be a master and the second wireless communication unit 9 is
set to be slave.
The control unit 2 checks whether untransmitted image data are
stored in the storage unit 4 (Step S30). If it is determined that
there is no untransmitted image data, the control unit 2 returns to
execute the halt processing of Step S24 of FIG. 2 and the following
steps.
If it is determined that there are untransmitted image data, the
control unit 2 determines whether the wireless communication unit 6
has received an image data communication request signal from the
second wireless communication unit 9 of the external device 8 (Step
S31).
If the control unit 2 determines in Step S31 that the wireless
communication unit 6 has not received an image data communication
request signal from the second wireless communication unit 9, the
control unit 2 sets the wireless communication unit 6 as the master
and prepares to transmit the image data stored in the storage unit
4 to the external device 8 via the second wireless communication
unit 9 (Step S32). Then, the control unit 2 drives the wireless
communication unit 6 to send a communication request to the second
wireless communication unit 9 for starting wireless communication
(Step S33).
Then, the control unit 2 detects a response to the communication
request that the control unit 2 has sent in Step S33 (Step S34).
This response is outputted from the external device 8 via the
second wireless communication unit 9 as a reply to the
communication request. When the image data communication request
signal from the wireless communication unit 6 is received by the
second wireless communication unit 9, the external device 8
determines whether image data transmission corresponding to this
image data communication request signal is acceptable. If the
control unit of the external device determines that image data is
acceptable, the second wireless communication unit 9 outputs an
image data acceptance response signal to the wireless communication
unit 6.
If the control unit 2 determines in Step S34 that there is no image
data acceptance response from the external device 8, the control
unit 2 returns to execute Step S24 of FIG. 2 and the following
steps.
In this embodiment, the sending of the image data communication
request from the electronic pickup camera is performed only once,
but it may be periodically tried over a plurality of times until a
response signal is detected.
On the other hand, if there is an image data acceptance response, a
link is established between the wireless communication unit 6 and
the second wireless communication unit 9 to execute Step S36 and
the following steps.
Referring back to Step S31, if the control unit 2 determines that
the first wireless communication unit 6 has received an image data
communication request signal from the second wireless communication
unit 9, the control unit 2 sets the first wireless communication
unit 6 as a slave and prepares to transmit the image data stored in
the storage unit 4 to the external device 8 via the second wireless
communication unit 9 according to the request of the external
device 8 (Step S35).
Then, a link is established between the wireless communication unit
6 and the second wireless communication unit 9 to execute Step S36
and the following steps.
When the wireless communication unit 6 and the second wireless
communication unit 9 become a master and a slave and vice versa,
Step S36 is executed. In Step S36, the control unit 2 reads out the
untransmitted image stored in the storage unit 4. Then, the control
unit 2 drives and controls the first wireless communication unit 6
to wirelessly transmit the untransmitted image data to the second
wireless communication unit 9 as a wireless signal having Bluetooth
(registered trademark) specifications.
When the transmission is completed, the control unit 2 determines
whether the wireless communication transmission has a communication
error (Step S37). The detection of a communication error is
performed by a communication state monitoring circuit (not shown)
which is an error detecting unit included in the wireless
communication unit 6. This communication state monitoring circuit
monitors the state of communication, and detects timeouts and
parity errors. If a communication error is detected, the control
unit 2 drives and controls the first wireless communication unit 6
to retransmit image data affected by the communication error (Step
S39).
Then, the control unit 2 again determines whether there is a
communication error in the image data retransmitted in Step S39
(Step S40). If it is again determined in Step S40 that there is a
communication error, the control unit 2 sets the image data
affected by the communication error to be undeletable from the
storage unit 4, and displays on the display unit 3 a warning
indicating that the image data is undeletable (Step S41).
If it is determined in Step S37 or S40 that there is no
communication error, then the transmission of the image data was
successful and the control unit 2 therefore clears the undeletable
setting and the undeletable warning display setting from the image
data stored in the storage unit 4 (Step S38).
Then, the control unit 2 determines whether automatic deletion is
possible for each image data stored in the storage unit 4 (Step
S42). The decision as to the automatic deletion is made according
to whether an attribute of the image data is set to be undeletable
or not. Then, the control unit 2 determines whether the external
device 8 is a predetermined external storage device (Step S43).
Exemplary ways to effect Step S43 will be described below with
reference to FIGS. 4 and 5.
FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating in detail a first exemplary way
to effect Step S43. In this first example, the names of external
devices are registered in a list on a storage medium of the
electronic pickup camera (the storage medium may be the same as or
different from the storage unit 4), and if the external device 8
which is a device to which the image data are transmitted satisfies
a condition, that is the external device 8 is on the list, the
control unit 2 determines that the external device 8 is a
predetermined external device. In this example, it is preferable
that the names of the devices to be used for storing the image data
(like a PC in the operator's house) are registered on the list. For
this reason, the list is named "my repository". If the external
device 8 to which the image data are transmitted is registered on
my repository, the transmitted image data will be deleted from the
storage unit 4 in Step S44 of FIG. 3, described later, upon a
successful transmission. If the external device 8 is not registered
on my repository, no image data are deleted. In this manner, the
control unit 2 determines whether the external device 8 is a
predetermined external device, and selects an accompanying process,
if any, of the transmission process.
In the first example, a link key is used for the identification of
the external device 8. The link key is a key used for mutual
authentication in wireless transmission based on Bluetooth
standards. The link key is a 128-bit common key which Bluetooth
devices generate when they are connected for the first time. In the
subsequent communications, both Bluetooth devices authenticate each
other on the basis that a remote device at the other end has the
same link key.
First, the control unit 2 determines whether the external device 8
is a remote device with which the electronic pickup camera is to
communicate for the first time (Step S43-1). This decision is made
according to whether the electronic pickup camera and the external
device 8 have the same link key. If the electronic pickup camera
and the external device 8 do not have the same link key, it is the
first time that the electronic pickup camera and the external
device 8 are communicating with each other, and Step S43-3 is
executed. If the electronic pickup camera has the same link key as
the external device 8, this indicates that the electronic pickup
camera and the external device 8 had previously communicated with
each other, and Step S43-2 is executed.
In Step S43-2, the control unit 2 determines whether the external
device 8 is registered on my repository list stored on the storage
medium of the electronic pickup camera. If the external device 8 is
not registered on my repository, Step S43-3 is executed, and if the
external device 8 is registered on my repository, Step S43-6 is
executed.
The control unit 2 executes Step S43-3 when the external device 8
is not registered on my repository. The control unit 2 displays on
the display unit 3 the message "This remote device is not
registered on my repository. Do you wish to register it?". Then,
the control unit 2 detects a response from the operator of the
electronic pickup camera (Step S43-4). If the operator of the
electronic pickup camera inputs an affirmative response through the
input unit 5, the control unit 2 registers the link key to be
shared by the external device 8 in my repository (Step S43-5). If
the operator of the electronic pickup camera inputs a negative
response through the input unit 5, or if the operator does not
respond within 3 seconds, the registration is not performed.
The control unit 2 executes Step S43-6 when the external device 8
is registered in my repository. The control unit 2 displays on the
display unit 3 the message "This remote device is registered in my
repository. Do you wish to keep the registration?". Then, the
control unit 2 detects a response from the operator of the
electronic pickup camera (Step S43-7). If the operator of the
electronic pickup camera inputs a negative response through the
input unit 5, the control unit 2 deletes a link key shared by the
external device 8 from my repository (Step S43-8). If the operator
of the electronic pickup camera inputs an affirmative response
through the input unit 5, or if the operator does not respond
within 3 seconds, the deletion is not performed.
As described above, Step S43-6 and Step S43-7 are steps in which
the control unit 2 informs the operator of the electronic pickup
camera of the registered contents on my repository and gives the
operator an opportunity for maintenance of my repository.
After the operator of the electronic pickup camera has been given
an opportunity for maintenance of my repository, the control unit 2
executes Step S43-9. In Step S43-9, the control unit 2 determines
whether the external device 8 is a predetermined external device.
In this first example, the control unit 2 determines that the
external device 8 is a predetermined external device when it is
registered on my repository list.
If the external device 8 is registered in my repository, the
control unit 2 displays on the display unit 3 the message "The
transmitted image data may be deleted from the storage medium. The
image data is automatically deleted." (Step S43-10). After that,
the control unit 2 proceeds to Step S44 of FIG. 3, and deletes the
transmitted image files from the storage unit 4. Of course, the
deletion-of the image file may be executed manually instead of
automatically.
If the external device 8 is not registered in my repository, the
control unit 2 displays on the display unit 3 the message "The
transmitted image data may not be deleted from the storage medium."
(Step S43-11). After that, the control unit 2 sets an undeletable
attribute on the transmitted image file stored in the storage
medium 4 (Step S43-12).
In the first example, the external device 8 is identified by the
use of a link key of Bluetooth standards, but a Bluetooth address
may also be used instead of the link key. In the cases where
transmission is not based on Bluetooth, but rather on LAN
communication, the external device 8 can also be identified with a
MAC address contained in the header of a packet.
A PC installed in the operator's house and a data archive server on
the Internet are preferably registered on my repository.
FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating in detail a second example of
the contents of Step S43. In this second example, the external
device 8, to which the image data are transmitted, is determined to
be the predetermined device when the external device 8 is capable
of providing a predetermined service. One preferred example of the
predetermined service is the service of recording image data. In
the following description, the service of recording received image
data is adopted as an example of the predetermined service.
First of all, the control unit 2 searches for services which can be
provided by the external device 8, using the SDP (Service Discovery
Protocol) of Bluetooth standards (Step S43-14). The SDP is a
protocol for searching for services provided by a remote connected
device. Then, on the basis of the result of the SDP search, the
control unit 2 determines whether the external device 8 provides
the service of recording the received image data (Step S43-15).
If the external device 8 provides the service of recording the
received image data, the control unit 2 displays on the display
unit 3 the message "The transmitted image file may be deleted from
the storage medium. The image file will be automatically deleted."
(Step S43-16). After that, the control unit 2 proceeds to Step S44
of FIG. 3, and deletes the transmitted image file from the storage
unit 4. Of course, the deletion of the image file may be executed
in a manual operation by the operator instead of automatically.
If the external device 8 does not provide the service, the control
unit 2 displays on the display unit 3 the message "The transmitted
image file may not be deleted from the storage medium." (Step
S43-17). Then, the control unit 2 sets an undeletable attribute of
the transmitted image file stored in the storage medium (Step
S43-18).
The processing examples of Step S43 of FIG. 3 have been described
above with reference to FIGS. 4 and 5. However, the contents of
Step S43 are not limited to these examples.
Referring back to FIG. 3, if the external device 8, which is the
remote device to which to transmit the image data, conforms to the
condition in Step S43, the control unit 2 determines that the
external device 8 is a predetermined external device, and deletes
the transmitted image data from the storage unit 4 (Step S44). In
this case, since the attribute of the image data, affected by a
communication error, is set to be undeletable, the image data of
the communication error are not deleted. Then, the control unit 2
returns.
Referring back to step S43, if the external device 8 which is the
remote device, to which the image data are transmitted, does not
conform to the condition in Step S43, the control unit 2
returns.
Incidentally, during the deletion, directory information may only
be deleted, or the image data itself may be deleted. In addition,
in the case where all the image data stored in the storage unit 4
are to be deleted, the storage unit 4 may be formatted.
After the return of the control unit 2, the halt processing of Step
S24 of FIG. 2 and the following steps are executed.
Thus, in the electronic pickup camera of this embodiment, in the
case where the image data stored in the storage unit 4 is
transmitted to the external device 8, if the external device 8 is
registered in my repository or provides the service of recording
image data, the transmitted image is automatically deleted from the
storage unit 4. Consequently, even if the remaining capacity of the
storage unit 4 becomes small, the operator of the electronic pickup
camera can cope with the shortage of the capacity only by
transmitting the image data stored in the storage unit 4 to the
predetermined external device. It is possible therefore to reduce
the possibility that image data that should not be deleted from the
storage unit 4 may be deleted by a misunderstanding or a mistaken
operation by the operator.
Of course, the electronic pickup camera may also be set to
overwrite the attributes of transmitted image data without deleting
the transmitted image data. According to this construction, even
after an image is transmitted, the image data can be displayed on
the display unit 3 or transmitted to another external device, since
the transmitted image is not deleted. Since this image data can be
overwritten, it does not impede storing new image data in the
storage unit 4.
The invention can be applied to various processes which accompany
the transmission process, in addition to the processing relating to
the deletion of transmitted image data. Examples of such processes
which can accompany a transmission processing are transmission of
an e-mail and creation of transmission log data.
* * * * *