JP5013982B2 - Image transmitting apparatus, control method therefor, and program - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an image transmission apparatus capable of transmitting image data to an external device, a control method thereof, and a program.

  In recent years, with the spread of digital cameras, image data of captured subjects is transmitted to an external device such as a personal computer (PC), another digital camera, or a printer.

  Regarding transmission of image data, as means for transmitting necessary image data to a specific device, the owner information of the external device is compared with subject information in the captured image data, and if they match, the image data is transferred to the external device. (See Patent Document 1).

In addition, the feature amount of the person who is close to the second owner is detected from the image data stored in the second image transmission system, and the feature amount is transmitted to the first image transmission system. . Furthermore, an invention is also disclosed in which an image is searched using a feature amount in the first image transmission system, and an image desired by the owner of the second image transmission system is automatically selected and transmitted (Patent Document). 2).
JP-A-2005-252457 JP2006-079458

  However, the image transmission system described in Patent Document 1 does not describe a method for transmitting a plurality of images at once. If you want to send multiple image data to the same destination, it is more efficient to specify the destination collectively with multiple image data than to specify the destination for the image data one by one, The burden of confirming the transmission destination for the user can be reduced.

  Further, in the image transmission system described in Patent Document 2, when the searched image data is transmitted all at once, the operation when the transmission fails is not described. If for some reason the transmission fails, the connected device is not physically connected via a wired connection, or the radio wave environment is poor due to a wireless connection, search for images. The operation of selecting a transmission image is wasted.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide means for easily transmitting a desired image to a transmission destination apparatus in a batch when transmitting an image between devices.

An image transmission apparatus according to the present invention includes a connection means for connecting to a recording medium, a transmission means for transmitting image data, and image data to be transmitted to a transmission destination apparatus among a plurality of image data recorded on the recording medium. A first selecting unit that selects the image data, a detecting unit that detects identification information from the image data selected by the first selecting unit, and the image data selected by the first selecting unit is transmitted by the transmitting unit. While searching, search means for searching image data having identification information detected by the detection means from a plurality of image data recorded on a recording medium, and the image data searched by the search means, And second selection means for selecting image data to be transmitted to an external device .

  According to the present invention, when transmitting an image, a user can easily obtain desired image data by searching for an image similar to the image being transmitted.

  Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. However, the constituent elements described in this embodiment are merely examples, and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention only to them.

(First embodiment)
In this embodiment, a case will be described in which an image transmission apparatus is a digital camera and image data captured by the digital camera is transmitted to another digital camera that is an external device.

  FIG. 1 shows a configuration of a digital camera which is an image transmission apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. Hereinafter, the configuration of the digital camera in the embodiment of the present invention will be described.

  Reference numeral 1 denotes a digital camera. Reference numeral 2 denotes a photographing lens, 3 denotes a shutter having a diaphragm function, 4 denotes an image sensor that converts an optical image into an electric signal, and 5 denotes an A / D converter that converts an analog signal output from the image sensor 4 into a digital signal.

  Reference numeral 6 denotes a timing generation circuit that supplies a clock signal and a control signal to the image sensor 4, the A / D converter 5, and the D / A converter 7, and is controlled by the memory control circuit 8 and the system control circuit 9.

  An image processing circuit 10 performs predetermined pixel interpolation processing and color conversion processing on the data from the A / D converter 5 or the data from the memory control circuit 8.

  A memory control circuit 8 controls the A / D converter 5, the timing generation circuit 6, the image processing circuit 10, the image display memory 11, the D / A converter 7, and the memory 12.

  The data of the A / D converter 5 is written into the image display memory 11 or the memory 12 via the image processing circuit 10 and the memory control circuit 8 or the data of the A / D converter 5 is directly passed through the memory control circuit 8. It is.

  Reference numeral 11 denotes an image display memory, 7 denotes a D / A converter, 13 denotes an image display unit including a TFT LCD, and the image data for display written in the image display memory 11 passes through the D / A converter 7. It is displayed by the image display unit 13.

  If the image data captured using the image display unit 13 is sequentially displayed, the electronic viewfinder function can be realized.

  Reference numeral 12 denotes a memory for storing captured still images and moving images, which has a sufficient storage capacity to store a predetermined number of still images and a predetermined time of moving images.

  Reference numeral 14 denotes an exposure control unit that controls the shutter 3 having a diaphragm function, and has a flash light control function in cooperation with the flash 17.

  Reference numeral 15 denotes a distance measurement control unit that controls the focusing of the photographing lens 2, and reference numeral 16 denotes a zoom control unit that controls the zooming of the photographing lens 2.

  Reference numeral 17 denotes a flash which has an AF auxiliary light projecting function and a flash light control function.

  Reference numeral 9 denotes a system control circuit that controls the entire digital camera 1, and reference numeral 20 denotes a memory that stores constants, variables, programs, and the like for operation of the system control circuit 9.

  Reference numeral 18 denotes a power supply control unit, which includes a battery detection circuit, a DC-DC converter, a switch circuit for switching a block to be energized, and the like. The power supply control unit 18 detects the presence / absence of a battery, the type of battery, and the remaining battery level, controls the DC-DC converter based on the detection result and an instruction from the system control circuit 9, and requires a necessary voltage. It is supplied to each part including the recording medium for a period.

  A power unit 19 includes a primary battery such as an alkaline battery or a lithium battery, a secondary battery such as a NiCd battery, a NiMH battery, or a Li battery, an AC adapter, or the like.

  Reference numeral 21 denotes a display unit such as a liquid crystal display device or a speaker that displays an operation state, a message, and the like using characters, images, sounds, and the like according to execution of a program in the system control circuit 9. The display unit 21 is installed at a single or a plurality of positions near the operation unit of the digital camera 1 so as to be easily visible, and is configured by a combination of, for example, an LCD, an LED, and a sounding element.

  Reference numeral 22 denotes an electrically erasable / recordable nonvolatile memory. The wireless connection information of the device can be stored here.

  Reference numeral 23 denotes a memory card interface for connecting a memory card, and reference numeral 24 denotes a USB interface for connecting to an external device using a USB.

  Reference numeral 25 denotes an operation unit for inputting various operation instructions of the system control circuit 9, and is configured by a single or a combination of a switch, a dial, a touch panel, pointing by gaze detection, a voice recognition device, and the like.

  Reference numeral 26 denotes a shutter switch, which is an exposure process for writing image data into the memory 12 through the A / D converter 5 and the memory control circuit 8 through the signal read from the image sensor 4, and an operation in the image processing circuit 10 and the memory control circuit 8. Instructs the start of a series of processing operations such as development processing using.

  Reference numeral 27 denotes a wireless communication circuit that transmits and receives wireless signals and controls wireless communication. Reference numeral 28 denotes an antenna for performing wireless communication with other devices.

  FIG. 2 shows an example of a wireless network composed of an image transmission apparatus and a transmission destination apparatus in the present invention.

  Here, it is shown that the digital camera 1 that is an image transmission device and the digital cameras 201, 202, and 203 that are transmission destination devices can be wirelessly connected. Assume that the digital cameras 201, 202, and 203 have the same configuration as the digital camera 1 shown in FIG. Each of these devices stores wireless connection information on a memory, and performs a connection operation and an image transmission / reception operation with the digital camera 1 that is an image transmission device based on the information.

  FIG. 3 shows a management data table 300 that associates wireless connection information with identification information of the owner of an external device, and is stored in the image transmission apparatus.

  The management data table has the following configuration.

  A registration number 301, a registration name 302 for identifying a plurality of registration data, transmission destination information 303 to be referred to when transmitting image data, a device ID 304 for specifying an external device, and an identification associated with these pieces of information It consists of face data 305 as information.

  In the face data 305 as identification information, for example, face data of the owner of the external device corresponding to the management data item can be registered.

  As a management data registration method, it is conceivable that the face data to be registered is cut out from the image data by the operation unit 25 of the image transmission apparatus, and the registration name, device ID, and wireless parameters are input using a software keyboard or the like. . In addition, several methods are conceivable, such as a method of connecting a PC and a digital camera and transmitting management data created in advance by the PC to the camera, but the registration method does not limit the present invention.

  The transmission destination information 303 is various types of parameters determined by a connection protocol required when wirelessly connecting devices to transmit / receive image data.

  For example, the WUSB (Wireless Universal Serial Bus) standard employs a common key encryption method for data encryption, and it is necessary to generate a common key between the WUSB host device and the WUSB device device. An authentication process for sharing a CC (Connection Context) composed of a master key (Connection Key) or the like for generating the common key is defined in the WUSB standard and is called an association process. Before establishing WUSB communication, it is necessary to share the CC between the WUSB host device and the WUSB device device according to the association process. The CC exchanged with the device to be connected by the association process, the common key for data encryption generated between the devices, and the like are stored as the transmission destination information 303. In addition, information such as an IP address and a MAC address of another device is also recorded as information for specifying a connection destination device.

  Further, as information included in the CC, there is a unique ID (Connection Host ID) indicating a WUSB host device, and a unique ID (Connection Device ID) indicating a WUSB device device. These pieces of information are stored as a device ID 304 for specifying an external device.

  In addition, as a connection form in which the image transmission device and the external device are connected by WUSB, a case where the image transmission device is connected as a host device and an external device as a device device, and vice versa can be considered. However, the connection destination information 303 and the device ID 304 hold data corresponding to each connection form.

  FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of transmitting and receiving image data between the image transmission apparatus and the transmission destination apparatus.

  First, an image stored in the image transmission device is displayed on the display device 21 so as to be selectable (step 101). The user selects an image to be transmitted to the transmission destination apparatus from the displayed images (step 102). Then, the image selected by the user is transmitted to the destination device (step 103).

  FIG. 5 shows a screen for selecting an image to be transmitted by the user. When the user selects image transmission for the displayed image 501 and then presses an OK button 502, the image is transmitted to the transmission destination apparatus.

  Here, the image transmission destination is determined by comparing the face area of the subject of the image with the management data table 300.

  In FIG. 5, the face area 504 of the subject is extracted by image recognition.

  When this face area is collated with the face data of the identification information 305 of the management data table 300, it is found that the face data matching the face area is registered in the item of registration number 2 in the management data table 300. Therefore, “WParam2” of the transmission destination information 303 is read from this item, the transmission destination is determined, and the image data is transmitted. When the return button 503 is pressed, the screen returns to the image selection screen.

  Next, the image data designated for transmission is analyzed, and identification information is extracted from the image data (step 104).

  In FIG. 5, the face area of the subject is selected from the image. Here, the face data used to determine the image transmission destination in step 103 is extracted as identification information.

  Next, an image search operation is performed based on the extracted identification information (step 105). Of the images stored in the image transmission device, an image having the identification information extracted in step 104 is searched. Here, since the face data is extracted as the identification information, the image stored in the image transmitting apparatus is searched for one containing this face data.

  Here, when searching for the identification information from the image data stored in the image transmission device, the image data received from the device that is the transmission destination of the current image data is not included in the search target. For example, when “Wparam2” of the transmission destination information 303 is designated from the management data table 300 as the transmission destination of the image data, the transmission destination device is “BBB” from the device ID 304.

  Here, if the transmission source information is described in the header area for the image data received from another apparatus among the image data stored in the image transmission apparatus, the header area is searched for the identification information. Image data described as “BBB” is excluded from the search target. By doing so, it is possible to prevent an image that is highly likely to be held by the transmission destination device from being transmitted.

  If the destination device is not connected, or if image transmission fails due to other communication errors (step 106), it is considered that the batch transmission cannot be performed continuously. (Step 108), the process proceeds to step 111.

  When the image transmission is successful (step 106), a notification is made that the transmission has been completed, and a display for allowing the user to determine whether or not to perform batch transmission of images similar to the transmitted image is performed (step 107). When the user instructs the start of batch transmission following image transmission (step 109), batch transmission of images is performed.

  FIG. 6 shows a display for determining whether images similar to the image transmitted in step 103 are to be transmitted in a lump. A screen 601 for notifying that the transmission has been completed and for allowing the user to determine whether or not to transmit an image similar to the image that has just been transmitted is displayed. Further, the number 607 of images to be transmitted at once is displayed. Further, the estimated time 606 required for batch transmission is displayed to the user. Regarding the calculation of the predicted time, first, the time required for transmission of the image transmitted in step 103 is stored. Then, the estimated transmission time is calculated from the ratio of the time required to transmit one image in consideration of the number of images to be transmitted at once and the data size. This time is displayed to notify the user of the estimated transmission time. In image transmission by wireless communication, a constant speed is not always obtained depending on the wireless environment or the like, but here, it is possible to notify the user of a highly accurate predicted transmission time based on the current wireless environment state.

  Furthermore, the display 608 of the face data extracted in step 104 is performed, and the user is notified in an easy-to-understand manner which images showing which persons are shown.

  When the user wants to transmit images similar to the image that has been transmitted now in a batch, the user presses an OK button 602 to start the batch transmission of images. When it is desired to confirm the contents of the images to be transmitted in a batch, a confirmation button 603 is pressed to confirm the contents. If it is desired to transmit an image different from the image that has just been transmitted, or if another operation such as an imaging operation is to be performed, the cancel button 604 is pressed and batch transmission is not performed, and the process proceeds to step 111.

  In addition, with respect to the search result image, instead of starting batch transmission here, a transmission reservation may be set so that the user can start batch transmission at an arbitrary timing.

  FIG. 7 shows a screen for displaying the search result of the identification information.

  A list of images having face data as identification information extracted in step 104 is displayed among images stored in the image transmission apparatus. In each image, face data of identification information is highlighted in a display frame 701 so that it can be easily identified.

  The user confirms these images, and if it is acceptable to transmit them in a batch, the user presses the batch transmission button 702 to perform batch transmission of the images. Further, when it is desired to designate an image to be transmitted individually, such as when an image that is not desired to be transmitted is included in the search result, an image that is not to be transmitted is individually selected.

  By unchecking the check box 704 displayed for each image, the image is not transmitted. After selecting images not to be transmitted, a batch transmission button 702 is pressed to perform batch transmission of images.

  Here, when image data is transmitted / received by WUSB, data is encrypted using a common encryption key between the host device and the device device generated by the 4-way handshake process in accordance with the WUSB standard, and other devices are used. To prevent the communication from being deciphered.

  With regard to transmission / reception of image data, for example, a session can be established between the image transmission apparatus and the transmission destination apparatus using PTP (Picture Transfer Protocol) as an upper communication protocol, and data can be exchanged.

  Here, it is assumed that the initiator is the initiator that starts the PTP processing by the image transmission device, and the responder that is the response side to the request from the PTP initiator.

  First, a PTP session is established between the image transmission apparatus and the transmission destination apparatus, and information about image data captured from the image transmission apparatus is transmitted. The transmission destination apparatus checks the image data size of the transmitted information, and if it can be received, designates the image data from which the information has been received and transmits an image data acquisition event to the image transmission apparatus. Here, the image transmission apparatus that has received the image data acquisition event transmits the image data to the transmission destination apparatus.

  Also here, the estimated time 705 required for batch transmission is displayed to the user. When the total number of image data to be collectively transmitted changes when the user designates images to be individually transmitted, the predicted transmission time is recalculated and displayed each time.

  When the cancel button 703 is pressed, batch transmission is not performed and the process proceeds to step 111.

  Next, the search result corresponding to the identification information extracted in step 104 is stored (step 111). FIG. 8 is a management data table storing search results corresponding to the face data 305. Information about the image searched in step 105 is stored in the search result 306. The next time the image is searched with the same identification information, the search operation can be efficiently performed by using the search result stored here.

  When the number of images stored in the image transmission apparatus has increased since the previous search, it is possible to search only for the newly increased image data that is the difference, and to obtain a search result together with the stored data. When image data is deleted, the search result is removed from the search result and the search result is stored again, so that the search operation is efficiently performed while accommodating the increase or decrease of the image data stored in the image transmission apparatus. be able to.

  In step 107, if the user sets a transmission reservation without performing batch transmission, it is possible to determine that the transmission reservation is set for the image of the search result stored here, and at any timing of the user. Images that have been reserved for transmission may be transmitted collectively.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, while transmitting an image to an external device (transmission destination), images similar to the image being transmitted are collected and the user can easily transmit to the transmission destination device. It is possible to provide means for collectively transmitting desired images.

  In addition, according to the present embodiment, identification information is extracted from an image designated for transmission by the user, and an image is searched based on the identification information, so that the user is not required to specify conditions for the image to be retrieved. be able to.

  Further, according to the present embodiment, the search result of the image is stored, and the search result using the same identification information is used. Therefore, the search of the image can be performed efficiently.

  In addition, according to the present embodiment, the estimated transmission time for batch transmission of images is calculated and notified from the transmission time when a single piece of image data is transmitted. Can be provided.

  In addition, according to the present embodiment, since one image data is first transmitted before searching for images to be collectively transmitted, a conventional method for starting transmission of a search result image after searching for an image is completed. Compared to the above, it is possible to make the determination of transmission failure earlier.

  In addition, according to the present embodiment, since image data is searched while one piece of image data is being transmitted, it is possible to effectively use idle time during image transmission.

(Second Embodiment)
Next, a second embodiment will be described.

  The configuration of the image transmission apparatus according to the second embodiment is the same as that of the first embodiment, and a description of parts that perform the same operation is omitted. The second embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that a plurality of pieces of identification information are extracted from image data designated for transmission, and each piece of identification information is individually displayed to the user when the image data is collectively transmitted. .

  FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of transmitting and receiving image data between the image transmission apparatus and the transmission destination apparatus.

  First, an image stored in the image transmission device is displayed on the display device 21 so as to be selectable (step 201). The user selects an image to be transmitted to another device from the displayed images (step 202). Then, the image selected by the user is transmitted to another device (step 203).

  Here, the image transmission destination is determined by comparing the face area of the subject of the image with the management data table 300. In FIG. 11, the face area 1101 and the face area 1102 of the subject are extracted by image recognition. Here, the face areas 1101 and 1102 can be selected to determine the target of collation.

  When the user selects the face area 1101, the face data of the identification information 305 in the management data table 300 is collated. As a result of the collation, the face data matching the face area 1101 is registered with the item of the registration number 1 in the management data table 300. Therefore, “Wparam1” of the transmission destination information 303 is read from this item to determine the transmission destination. , Send image data.

  Similarly, when the user selects the face area 1102, the face data of the identification information 305 in the management data table 300 is collated. As a result of the collation, the face data that matches the face area 1102 is registered as the item of the registration number 3 in the management data table 300. Therefore, “Wparam3” of the transmission destination information 303 is read from this item to determine the transmission destination. , Send image data.

  Next, the image data designated for transmission is analyzed, and identification information is extracted from the image data (step 204). From the image data, in addition to the face data of the subject, attributes such as the number of subjects, the date and time when the image was taken, the tag information added to the image, the mode when the image was taken, the size of the image, etc. A plurality of identification information such as information is extracted. Various types of information exist as identification information that can be extracted from image data, but the present invention is not limited to the embodiments depending on the type of information.

  The type of identification information extracted from the image data may be specified in advance by the user. FIG. 10 shows a screen in which the user designates in advance identification information extracted from an image designated for transmission. Here, identification information to be extracted from the image by the user is designated by a check box 1001. FIG. 10 shows that “person” and “date” are selected as identification information extracted from an image designated for transmission.

  Here, when an image as shown in FIG. 11 is transmitted, the face area 1101 and the face area 1102 of the person, and the image shooting date and time are extracted as identification information.

  Next, an image search operation is performed based on the extracted identification information (step 205).

  Of the images stored in the image transmission device, an image having the identification information extracted in step 204 is searched.

  For example, when face data is extracted as the identification information, an image stored in the image transmission device that includes the same face data is searched. When a plurality of face data is extracted, an image stored in the image transmission device is searched for one containing the same face data.

  Even when a plurality of pieces of face data are extracted as identification information, only those corresponding to the face area selected by the user when determining the current image transmission destination may be used as the search condition.

  Further, when the number of subjects is extracted as the identification information, an image in which the same number of people is shown in the images stored in the image transmission device is searched. Alternatively, the search may be performed with a range such as an image showing the number of people close to the extracted number of people. As a result, for example, it is possible to collect only a group photo including a large number of subjects as a search result.

  In addition, when the shooting date / time of the image is extracted as the identification information, the image data captured on the same day is searched from the images stored in the image transmission apparatus. Alternatively, the search may be performed by specifying a range such as several hours before and after the extracted time, or may be performed by specifying a range such as several days before and after the extracted date.

  In addition, when an image shooting location is extracted as the identification information, an image stored in the image transmission device that includes the same shooting location as attribute information is searched.

  Similarly, when other identification information is extracted, an image including the same identification information is searched from images stored in the image transmission apparatus.

  If the destination device is not connected, or if image transmission fails due to other communication errors (step 206), it is considered that batch transmission cannot be performed continuously. (Step 208), the process proceeds to step 213.

  When the image transmission is successful (step 206), a notification is made that the transmission has been completed, and a display for allowing the user to determine whether or not to perform batch transmission of images similar to the transmitted image is performed (step 207).

  FIG. 14 shows a display for determining whether images similar to the image transmitted in step 203 are to be transmitted at once. Display of identification information 1405 as a search condition is performed, and the user determines whether an image similar to the identification information is to be subjected to batch transmission. Here, an image including the same face data as the identification information extracted in step 204 and photographed on the same date is a target for batch transmission. Here, if the displayed identification information is not to be the target of batch transmission, the image including the identification information can be removed from the target of batch transmission by unchecking the check box 1404.

  When the user performs batch transmission continuously for an image including this identification information, the user presses an OK button 1401 to start batch transmission of images. When it is desired to confirm the contents of the images to be transmitted in a batch, a confirmation button 1402 is pressed to confirm the contents. When it is desired to transmit an image different from the image that has just been transmitted, or when another operation such as an imaging operation is to be performed, the cancel button 1403 is pressed and batch transmission is not performed, and the process proceeds to step 213.

  FIG. 12 shows a screen for displaying a search result of identification information.

  A list of images having the identification information extracted in step 204 is displayed among the images stored in the image transmission apparatus.

  The user confirms these images, and if it is acceptable to send them all at once, the user presses the batch send button 1201 to send the images all at once (step 212). Further, when it is desired to designate an image to be transmitted individually, such as when an image that is not desired to be transmitted is included in the search result, an image that is not to be transmitted is individually selected. By unchecking the check box 1204 displayed for each image, the image is not transmitted. After selecting images not to be transmitted, a batch transmission button 1201 is pressed to perform batch transmission of images (step 212).

  If it is determined that the search result desired by the user is not obtained from these search results and the identification information corresponding to the transmitted image is not set, the identification information setting button 1203 is pressed to specify the identification information. Perform (step 210).

  If the cancel button 1203 is pressed, batch transmission is not performed and the process proceeds to step 213.

  FIG. 13 shows a screen on which the identification information extracted in step 204 and used for image search in step 205 is displayed.

  Here, it is shown that an image in which “Mr. A” or “Mr. C” is captured and an image taken on the same day as the transmitted image data is retrieved and displayed as a search result in FIG. .

  The left key 1301 or the right key 1303 can display and select identification information candidates on the display unit 1302 in order. Specifically, only “Mr. A” is set as identification information, only “Mr. C” is set as identification information, or “Mr. A” and “Mr. C” are both set as identification information can do.

  For example, in FIG. 13, it is assumed that an image showing “Mr. A” or “Mr. C” is displayed as a search result. However, if the user wants to transmit a photograph showing only “Mr. A” in a batch, the display unit 1302 is selected with the left key 1301 or the right key 1303 and only “Mr. A” is set as identification information. Then, an OK button 1305 is pressed.

  Then, the search result is displayed again according to the identification information set here. The user confirms these images and transmits the images all at once if it is acceptable to transmit them all at once.

  In FIG. 13, images taken on the same day as the transmitted image data are displayed as search results. However, not only on this date, images that include “Mr. A” or “Mr. C” are collectively transmitted. If you want to do so, uncheck the check box 1304. Then, an OK button 1304 is pressed.

  Then, the search result is displayed again according to the identification information set here. The user confirms these images and transmits the images all at once if it is acceptable to transmit them all at once.

  Next, the search result corresponding to the identification information extracted in step 204 is stored (step 213). The next time the image is searched with the same identification information, the search operation can be efficiently performed by using the search result stored here.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, while transmitting an image to a transmission destination, a plurality of pieces of identification information are extracted from the image being transmitted, and a desired image retrieved from the plurality of pieces of identification information can be simplified. It is possible to provide means for batch transmission to the destination device.

  In the present embodiment, when a plurality of pieces of identification information are extracted, the identification information is combined and used as a search condition for image data. However, image data is individually searched for each piece of identification information, These search results may be displayed together.

(Other embodiments)
In the above embodiment, the identification information is extracted from the transmitted single image data and the image data is searched. However, the transmitted image is not limited to a single image. For example, when a plurality of pieces of image data are transmitted together, identification information may be extracted from the plurality of pieces of image data, and image data may be searched based on the identification information.

  Needless to say, the object of the present invention is achieved as follows. First, a recording medium on which software program codes for realizing the functions of the above-described embodiments are recorded is supplied to a system or apparatus. Then, the computer (or CPU or MPU) of the system or apparatus reads and executes the program code stored in the recording medium. In this case, the program code itself read from the storage medium realizes the functions of the above-described embodiment, and the storage medium storing the program code constitutes the present invention.

  As a storage medium for supplying the program code, for example, floppy (registered trademark) disk, hard disk, optical disk, magneto-optical disk, CD-ROM, CD-R, magnetic tape, nonvolatile memory card, ROM, DVD, etc. Can be used.

  The functions of the above-described embodiments are not only realized by executing the program code read by the computer. For example, an OS (operation system) running on a computer performs part or all of actual processing based on an instruction of the program code, and the functions of the above-described embodiments may be realized by the processing. Needless to say, it is included.

  Furthermore, it goes without saying that the case where the functions of the above-described embodiment are realized by the following processing is also included. First, the program code read from the storage medium is written in a memory provided in a function expansion board inserted into the computer or a function expansion unit connected to the computer. Thereafter, based on the instruction of the program code, the CPU provided in the function expansion board or function expansion unit performs part or all of the actual processing.

1 is a configuration block diagram of a digital camera according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure which shows the example of a network structure in embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the management data table which linked | related and memorize | stored the wireless connection information and identification information in embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the image transmission operation | movement of the image transmission apparatus in the 1st Embodiment of this invention. In the 1st Embodiment of this invention, it is the figure shown about the screen which determines the image to transmit. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a screen for determining whether to perform an image batch transmission operation in the first embodiment of the present invention. It is the figure shown about the image search result in the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the management data table which added the image search result for every identification information in the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the image transmission operation | movement of the image transmission apparatus in the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is the figure shown about the screen which designates the identification information extracted from the image data in the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is the figure which showed the transmission image in the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is the figure shown about the image search result in the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is the figure shown about the screen which displays the identification information extracted in the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. In the 2nd Embodiment of this invention, it is the figure shown about the screen which determines whether the batch transmission operation | movement of an image is performed.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Digital camera 2 Shooting lens 3 Shutter 4 Imaging device 5 A / D converter 6 Timing generation circuit 7 D / A converter 8 Memory control circuit 9 System control circuit 10 Image processing circuit 11 Image display memory 12 Memory 13 Image display part 14 Exposure control unit 15 Distance control unit 16 Zoom control unit 17 Flash 18 Power supply control unit 19 Power supply unit 20 Memory 21 Display unit 22 Non-volatile memory 23 Memory card interface 24 USB interface 25 Operation unit 26 Shutter switch 27 Wireless communication circuit 28 Antenna

Claims (13)

Connection means for connecting to the recording medium;
A transmission means for transmitting image data;
First selection means for selecting image data to be transmitted to a transmission destination device from among a plurality of image data recorded on the recording medium;
Detecting means for detecting identification information from the image data selected by the first selecting means;
While transmitting the image data selected by the first selection unit by the transmission unit, image data having identification information detected by the detection unit is extracted from a plurality of image data recorded on a recording medium. A search means for searching;
An image transmission apparatus comprising: second selection means for selecting the image data searched by the search means as image data to be transmitted to the external apparatus. Display means for displaying a screen for selecting by the second selection means whether to transmit the image data searched by the search means;
The said transmission means transmits the image data searched by the said search means collectively, when transmission of image data is instruct | indicated using the screen displayed on the display means. Image transmission device. A display means for displaying a screen for selecting by the second selection means whether to transmit the image data searched by the search means;
The image transmission apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the display unit displays a screen for selecting whether or not to individually transmit a plurality of image data searched by the search unit. . A prediction unit that predicts a transmission time when the image data searched by the search unit is transmitted in a batch;
The image transmission apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the prediction time by the prediction unit is notified to a user.   The image transmission apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the identification information detected by the detection unit is an image of a face of a subject.   6. The image transmission apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the identification information detected by the detection unit is the number of subjects.   The image transmission apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the identification information detected by the detection unit is image attribute information. Storage means for storing image data transmission destination information by the transmission means in association with information for identifying the owner of the transmission destination device;
A collation unit that collates the identification information detected by the detection unit and the identification information of the owner stored in the storage unit;
As a result of the collation by the collation means, when it is determined that the identification information and the owner identification information are the same, image data is transmitted to a transmission destination corresponding to the owner identification information. The image transmission device according to claim 1.   9. The image transmission apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the search unit searches the image data acquired from the image data transmission destination apparatus so as not to be included in the search target.   10. The image according to claim 1, wherein when a plurality of pieces of identification information are detected from the detection unit, a search result obtained by the search unit is individually displayed for each piece of the identification information. Transmitter device.   When the search result by the search means is already stored, the image is searched only for the image data that is a difference from the previous search, and the search result is obtained together with the already stored image data. The image transmission device according to claim 1. A method for controlling an image transmission apparatus connected to a storage medium, comprising:
A first selection step of selecting image data to be transmitted to a transmission destination device from among a plurality of image data recorded on the recording medium;
A detection step of detecting identification information from the image data selected in the first selection step;
A search for searching image data having identification information detected in the detection step from a plurality of image data recorded on the recording medium while transmitting the image data selected in the first selection step . Process,
And a second selection step of selecting the image data searched in the search step as image data to be transmitted to the external device. Computer
Connection means for connecting to the recording medium;
A transmission means for transmitting image data;
First selection means for selecting image data to be transmitted to a transmission destination device from among a plurality of image data recorded on the recording medium;
Detecting means for detecting identification information from the image data selected by the first selecting means;
Image data having identification information detected by the detecting means from a plurality of image data recorded on the recording medium while the image data selected by the first selecting means is transmitted by the transmitting means. A search means for searching for,
A program for causing image data searched by the search means to function as second selection means for selecting image data to be transmitted to the external device.

Images