JP5165406B2 - Electronic device, information file sharing system, and image file sharing system - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an electronic apparatus, an information file sharing system, and an image file sharing system, and more particularly to an apparatus capable of sharing information by exchanging information files between a plurality of apparatuses.

  When a file is transmitted from the transmission source device to the transmission destination device and the file is stored in the transmission destination device, the name of the transmitted file and the name of the file already stored at the transmission destination are Several techniques have been proposed for preventing the file already stored at the transmission destination from being overwritten.

  In the communication device disclosed in Patent Literature 1, when a file is stored (stored) in an external device such as a file server, it is confirmed whether a file with the same name exists in a specified directory in the file server. . If a file with the same name does not exist, it is accumulated without changing the file name. If a file with the same name exists, a character string based on the date / time information is added to the original file name.

  In what is disclosed in Patent Document 2, when an image is recorded by operating a plurality of cameras in cooperation, a character string that can specify each of the plurality of cameras and a number that can specify a shooting order A file name containing is generated. This makes it possible to prevent duplication of file names even when image data generated by the plurality of cameras is taken into one computer or the like. Further, based on these file names, it is possible to specify which camera the image data is obtained by photographing, and furthermore it is possible to identify in what time order the images are taken.

In the technique disclosed in Patent Document 3, when a file generated by an imaging device is transferred to an image storage server and stored, the file name is determined by the image storage server. That is, the imaging device and the image storage server are connected prior to the imaging operation, and the free capacity of the storage device in the imaging device is detected. Then, according to the detected free space, the file name to be given to the image file generated by the subsequent imaging operation is determined by the image storage server, and the file name is notified to the imaging device. The imaging device gives the file name notified as described above to the image file generated by the imaging operation.
JP 2006-203694 A JP 2004-235789 A JP 2005-117487 A

  With what is disclosed in Patent Document 1, it is necessary to confirm in advance whether there is a file with a duplicate name by communicating with a file transmission destination device, and the processing can be complicated. In addition, when there are a plurality of devices serving as file transmission sources and they try to perform the same processing at the same time, there is a possibility that the file names will be duplicated.

  In what is disclosed in Patent Document 2, as described above, when a file name including a character string that can specify each of a plurality of cameras and a number that can specify a shooting order is given to the generated file, There are cases where naming a file that conforms to the camera file system standard (DCF = Design rule for Camera File system) defined by the Japan Electronics Industry Promotion Association (JEIDA) may become impossible. As a result, there may be a problem that an image file generated by a certain camera cannot be played back by another specific device. In DCF, the file name is an extension of the file name using 4 characters composed of free characters followed by 4 digits (eg, IMG — 0001 in this example, the underscore “_” is also counted as one free character). This is because it is stipulated that the portion excluding the is formed.

  In the device disclosed in Patent Document 3, the imaging device cannot generate an image file until the file name is notified from the image storage server. In addition, when connected to a device (such as a personal computer) different from the image storage server originally planned after the photographing operation is completed, there may be a problem that file names are duplicated.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and provides a technology capable of easily preventing duplication of file names without losing user convenience when transmitting files between a plurality of devices. The purpose is to do.

(1) A first aspect of the present invention is applied to an electronic apparatus having an information storage device capable of storing an information file including therein a data portion and incidental information related to the data portion. And
A transmission file selection unit that selects an information file to be transmitted to an external device from one or more of the information files stored in the information storage device;
A transmission unit that transmits the information file having a predetermined file name selected by the transmission file selection unit to the external device;
File storage information for receiving, from the external device, file storage information including transfer destination file name information, which is information related to the file name assigned when the information file having the predetermined file name is stored in the external device A receiver,
A transfer destination file storage information addition processing unit that adds information based on the file storage information as transfer destination file storage information to the incidental information included in the information file having the predetermined file name. Solve the problem.
(2) A second aspect of the present invention is transmitted from a partner electronic device having a first information storage device capable of storing an information file including a data portion and incidental information related to the data portion. The present invention is applied to an electronic device configured to be able to receive the information file. And
An information file receiving unit for receiving the information file transmitted from the counterpart electronic device;
A second information storage device for storing the information file received by the information file receiver on the electronic device side;
Whether the file name of the received information file, which is the information file received by the information file receiver, is the same as the file name assigned to another information file already stored in the second information storage device A file name duplication judgment unit for judging
When the file name duplication determination unit determines that there is no duplication, the file name originally given to the reception information file is determined as a file name to be given to the reception information file, and the duplication is determined. If it is determined that there is, a file name determination unit that determines another file name generated according to a predetermined naming rule as a file name to be given to the reception information file;
A file storage processing unit for storing the received information file in the second information storage device by giving the file name determined by the file name determination unit;
A file storage information transmission unit configured to transmit file storage information including the file name determined by the file name determination unit to the partner electronic device that has transmitted the information file;
(3) According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a first electronic device including a first information storage device capable of storing an information file including a data portion and incidental information related to the data portion. The second electronic device having a second information storage device capable of storing the information file, and transmitted from the first electronic device, the information stored in the first information storage device The file is applied to an information file sharing system in which the second electronic device can receive and store the file in the second information storage device. And
The first electronic device includes:
A transmission file selection unit that selects an information file to be transmitted to the second electronic device from one or more of the information files stored in the first information storage device;
A transmission unit that transmits the information file having a predetermined file name selected by the transmission file selection unit to the second electronic device;
The second electronic device includes:
An information file receiving unit for receiving the information file transmitted from the first electronic device;
Whether the file name of the received information file, which is the information file received by the information file receiver, is the same as the file name assigned to another information file already stored in the second information storage device A file name duplication judgment unit for judging
When the file name duplication determination unit determines that there is no duplication, the file name to be given to the reception information file is the predetermined file name that is the file name originally given to the reception information file And when it is determined that there is an overlap, a file name determination unit that determines another file name generated according to a predetermined naming rule as a file name to be given to the reception information file;
A file storage processing unit for storing the received information file in the second information storage device by giving the file name determined by the file name determination unit;
A file storage information transmission unit that transmits file storage information including the file name determined by the file name determination unit to the first electronic device;
The first electronic device further includes
A file storage information receiving unit for receiving the file storage information transmitted from the second electronic device;
A transfer destination file storage information addition processing unit for adding information based on the file storage information as transfer destination file storage information to the incidental information included in the information file having the predetermined file name; .
(4) A fourth aspect of the present invention includes an imaging unit that captures an image of a subject and generates image data. The data unit that stores the image data; and the imaging unit captures the subject and A first electronic device having a first information storage device capable of storing an image file including therein image information including at least an imaging condition for generating image data; and a second electronic device capable of storing the image file. The second electronic device receives the image file transmitted from the first electronic device and stored in the first information storage device. Thus, the present invention is applied to an image file sharing system configured to be capable of being stored in the second information storage device. And
The first electronic device includes:
A transmission file selection unit that selects a target image file to be transmitted to the second electronic device from one or more of the image files stored in the first information storage device;
A transmission unit that transmits an image file having a predetermined file name selected by the transmission file selection unit to the second electronic device;
The second electronic device includes:
An image file receiving unit for receiving the image file transmitted from the first electronic device;
Whether the file name of the received image file which is the image file received by the image file receiving unit is the same as the file name assigned to another image file already stored in the second information storage device A file name duplication judgment unit for judging
When the file name duplication determination unit determines that there is no duplication, the file name to be given to the received image file is the predetermined file name that is the file name originally given to the received image file And when it is determined that there is an overlap, a file name determination unit that determines another file name generated according to a predetermined naming rule as a file name to be given to the received image file;
A file storage processing unit for storing the received image file in the second information storage device by giving the file name determined by the file name determination unit;
A file storage information transmission unit that transmits file storage information including the file name determined by the file name determination unit to the first electronic device;
The first electronic device further includes
A file storage information receiving unit for receiving the file storage information transmitted from the second electronic device;
The image file having the predetermined file name stored in the first information storage device is read out, the image data size is reduced with respect to the image data included in the image file, and reduced image data is generated. An image data reduction processing unit for processing;
Performing a process of adding information based on the file storage information as transfer destination file storage information to the image information included in the image file having the predetermined file name, and the processed image information and the reduced image data And an overwrite storage processing unit that performs an overwrite storage process with the predetermined file name.

  According to the present invention, the file storage includes the transfer destination file name information which is information related to the file name given when the information file is stored in the external device in the incidental information included in the information file. By adding information based on the information as transfer destination file storage information, the user of the electronic device can smoothly and easily access the information file transferred to the external device.

− First embodiment −
In the first embodiment of the present invention, an example in which an image file is exchanged between a digital camera and a computer will be described. That is, an information file is transmitted from a digital camera as an electronic device to a computer as an external device. In the present embodiment, the information file is an image file. Hereinafter, a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic internal configuration of a digital camera 100 to which the present invention is applied. FIG. 2 is a diagram conceptually showing how image files are exchanged between the digital camera 100 and the computer 200. FIG. 3 is a flowchart for explaining a schematic processing procedure when an image file is exchanged between the digital camera 100 and the computer 200. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of information displayed on the display unit of the digital camera 100 when the processing illustrated in FIG. 3 is performed. FIG. 5 is a block diagram conceptually showing the file structure of the image file stored in the digital camera 100.

  The image file exchanged between the digital camera 100 and the computer 200 includes, for example, P1010001. A file name such as JPG is assigned. The image file 500 includes an image data portion 502 and image information 504 as supplementary information related to the image data portion 502. The image information 504 can be tag information such as Exif information. In the Exif information, the pixel size of the image, the date and time when the image was generated (shooting date and time), and the exposure conditions of the camera used during image generation (shooting) (focal length, release F value, set aperture value, set shutter speed) The image information 504 can include image capturing conditions for capturing an image of a subject using a digital camera, such as setting equivalent ISO sensitivity, presence / absence of flash emission, white balance setting, and the like. As will be described in detail later, transfer destination file storage information 506 is added (embedded) to generate new image information 504A, which is overwritten with the original file name as image file 500A together with image data portion 502. Remembered.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the digital camera 100 includes an imaging unit 102, an image processing unit 104, a display unit 106, an operation unit 108, a CPU 110, a storage medium 112, a RAM 114, a ROM 116, and a communication unit. 118, and these elements are connected via a bus 120.

  The imaging unit 102 includes a photographing lens, a zoom driving unit, an automatic focus adjustment unit, a diaphragm unit, a shutter, an infrared cut filter, an optical low-pass filter (OLPF), an imaging element, a signal processing unit (all not shown), and the like. . The subject image formed by the photographing lens is photoelectrically converted by the image sensor to generate an analog image signal. The image signal is subjected to processing such as CDS (correlated double sampling), AGC (automatic gain control), and A / D conversion in the signal processing unit, and the digitized image signal is transferred to the RAM 114 via the bus 120. Is temporarily stored. The RAM 114 is preferably composed of an SDRAM or the like that has an excellent memory access speed. The image processing unit 104 is configured by an ASIC (application-specific integrated circuit) or the like, and, as described above, the demosaic process, the gradation correction process, the color balance adjustment, the unsharp mask, and the image signal temporarily stored in the RAM 114. Processing, JPEG compression processing, etc. are performed to generate image data. The display unit 106 includes a TFT liquid crystal display element or an organic EL display element and a driver for displaying an image on the display element. The display unit 106 performs a through image display process when the digital camera 100 is set to the shooting mode, and performs a display process of a reproduction image when the digital camera 100 is set to the reproduction mode.

  The operation unit 108 includes operation members 130 (see FIG. 2) such as a power switch, an operation mode switching switch, a zoom switch, a push switch, a selection switch including a cross-shaped switch, a release switch, and the like. It is configured to be able to detect that the user has operated any of the operation members 130. The CPU 110 switches the operation mode of the digital camera 100 in response to the user operating the operation member 130. For example, in the shooting mode, the CPU 110 performs control such as focus adjustment, photometry, exposure amount adjustment, and flash emission amount adjustment. In the reproduction mode, the CPU 110 performs control such as switching of an image displayed on the display unit 106, switching of reduction / enlargement display, and the like. In the image file transfer mode, the CPU 110 accepts that the user selects an image file to be transferred to the computer 200 as an external device, and performs control when transmitting the selected image file to the computer 200.

  The storage medium 112 may be a card-type readable / writable memory configured to be removable from the digital camera 100, or may be a readable / writable storage device built in the digital camera 100. The storage medium 112 can be configured by a nonvolatile storage device such as a hard disk drive or a flash memory.

  The ROM 116 is a non-volatile memory that stores programs executed by the CPU 110 and various control parameters. The communication unit 118 is for two-way communication with an external device (computer 200 in the present embodiment). When communicating with an external device, either a wired or wireless form can be used. In the case of wired, standards such as IEEE 1394 and USB can be used. In the case of wireless, standards such as IEEE802.11 can be used. Alternatively, a standard such as Bluetooth (registered trademark) or IrDA may be used. Of course, a communication method based on an original standard may be used.

  FIG. 3 shows a processing procedure performed by the CPU 110 and the computer 200 when the digital camera 100 is set to the above-described image file transfer mode and processing such as image file transfer is performed between the digital camera 100 and the computer 200. It is shown. In FIG. 3, the processing procedure from S300 to S316 executed by the CPU 110 when the digital camera 100 is set to the image file transfer mode is shown on the left side. Further, on the right side of FIG. 3, processing procedures from S350 to S358 executed by the computer 200 are shown.

  In S300, the CPU 110 performs processing for accepting an image file selection operation by the user. Specifically, it is detected that the user operates the operation member 130 while viewing an index image or the like displayed on the display unit 106. Then, the image file that the user desires to transmit to the computer 200 is specified. In the image file selection operation acceptance process in S300, the user may be configured to select only one image file or may be configured to allow the user to select a plurality of image files.

  In S <b> 302, the CPU 110 reads data of the selected image file from the storage medium 112 onto the RAM 114. The image file data read out on the RAM 114 includes an image data portion 502 and image information 504, as shown in the upper side of FIG.

  In S <b> 304, the CPU 110 performs a connection process with the computer 200, and enables bidirectional communication between the digital camera 100 and the computer 200 to start. In subsequent S <b> 306, the CPU 110 performs processing for transferring the image file 500 on the RAM 114 to the computer 200.

  In response to the processing at S306 by the CPU 110, the computer 200 receives the image file 500 transmitted from the digital camera 100 at S350. At this time, the computer 200 also digitally stores information related to the file name (hereinafter referred to as “original file name”) given to the image file 500 when stored in the storage medium 112 of the digital camera 100. Receive from the camera 100.

  In step S <b> 352, the computer 200 stores the received image file (hereinafter, the image file received by the computer 200 from the digital camera 100 is referred to as “received image file”) in the directory in which the received image file is stored. Search for a file with the same file name as.

  Based on the search processing result in S352, the computer 200 performs a file name determination process in S354. That is, based on the search processing result in S352, when it is determined that there is no file having a file name that overlaps with the original file name of the received image file, the original file name originally given to the received image file is changed. The file name when the received image file is stored in the computer 200 is determined. On the other hand, if it is determined that there is a file with a file name that overlaps with the original file name of the received image file, a file name generated according to a predetermined naming rule stores the received image file in the computer 200. It is determined as the file name.

  In S356, the computer 200 transmits file storage information including information related to the file name determined as described above in S354 to the digital camera 100. In subsequent S358, the computer 200 stores the received image file (corresponding to the image file 500 in FIG. 5) with the file name determined in S354 in a storage device (storage medium) constituted by a hard disk, a flash memory, or the like. . This storage device may be a hard disk drive built in or externally attached to the computer 200, a semiconductor storage device called a silicon disk or a solid state disk, or a USB memory.

  In response to the process of S356 described above by the computer 200, the CPU 110 performs a file storage information reception process in S308. That is, CPU 110 receives the file storage information transmitted from computer 200 in processing step S356 of computer 200.

  In S310, the CPU 110 performs tag information update processing based on the file storage information received from the computer 200 in S308. That is, if the CPU 110 determines that the file name determined by the computer 200 in S354 is different from the original file name originally assigned based on the received file storage information, A process of adding information based on the saved information to the image information 504 as transfer destination file saved information is performed. On the other hand, if it is determined that the file name determined by the computer 200 in S354 is the original file name originally assigned, the image information 504 is not changed. Instead, as the transfer destination file storage information, information that can specify the file name given when the received image file is stored in the computer 200 regardless of whether the file name is changed or not is the transfer destination file storage information. The image information 504 may be processed as follows. Through the above-described processing of the CPU 110 in S310, as shown in FIG. 5, transfer destination file storage information 506 is added to the image information 504 to generate new image information 504A.

  In S <b> 312, the CPU 110 performs processing for disconnecting the connection state with the computer 200.

  In S314, the CPU 110 performs processing for storing the image file 500A including the image data portion 502 and the new image information 504A in the storage medium 112 with the original file name. By this processing, the image file 500A including the new image information 504A to which the transfer destination file storage information 506 is added is overwritten and stored. In addition, since there is an information storage area whose use purpose is not limited in the image information 504 and 504A, it is desirable to add the transfer destination file storage information 506 in the information storage area. By doing so, the file structure can be maintained in compliance with the JEIDA DCF standard, and the image file can be read by another information device.

  In S316, the CPU 110 displays a message on the display unit 106 informing the user that the process of storing the image file selected by the user in the computer 200 (external device) has been completed. An example of the display is shown in FIG. In the example shown in FIG. 4, the original file name P1010001. The image file having JPG is stored in the storage destination directory (FTPROOT / DCIM / 100ABCDE) in the auxiliary storage device of the computer 200. It is displayed that it has been saved as JPG. In other words, in the example shown in FIG. 4, an image file having a name that overlaps with the original file name exists in the storage destination directory in the auxiliary storage device of the computer 200. Therefore, P1010058. The file name JPG is given and indicates that it has been saved.

  The transfer destination file storage information described above may include only information related to the transfer destination file name, but preferably includes information related to the above-described storage destination directory. The reason is that when an image file stored in the auxiliary storage device of the computer 200 is operated by remote control from the digital camera 100 side, it becomes easy to access the target image file.

  A plurality of electronic devices (such as a digital camera) may be connected to one external device (such as a computer) simultaneously or in a time-sharing manner. For example, the present invention is implemented in such a manner that image files are transferred from one of the digital cameras used by a plurality of photographers shooting at an athletic field to one external device and the image files are aggregated. It is possible.

  According to the first embodiment of the present invention, a user can transmit and store an information file to an external device without worrying about duplication of file names. If there are duplicate file names, a new file name is generated according to a predetermined naming rule, so that an important information file is not overwritten. Further, as described above, when a new file name is given on the external device side and the information file is stored, the file storage information including the file name is transmitted to the electronic device side, and the file storage information Is added to the image information as transfer destination file storage information. By referring to the transfer destination file storage information later, the target information file can be accessed when operating the information file stored in the auxiliary storage device of the external device by remote operation from the electronic device side. It becomes easy. In addition, since the file name when being stored at the transfer destination is notified to the user of the electronic device, the user trying to find the image file based on the file name finds the image file transferred to the external device. There is no feeling of anxiety.

− Second Embodiment −
In the second embodiment of the present invention, an example will be described in which information files can be exchanged between a plurality of electronic devices. That is, in the second embodiment, one of the plurality of electronic devices serves as an external device. In the following, an example will be described in which two users each have a digital camera and an image file obtained by one user is transmitted to the digital camera of the other user. In a plurality of digital cameras, one digital camera can be an external device in a certain situation, and another digital camera can be an external device in another situation.

  FIG. 6A is a diagram conceptually illustrating a state where two digital cameras (first camera 100A and second camera 100B) are connected so as to be able to perform bidirectional communication. The internal configuration of the first camera 100A as the first electronic device and the second camera 100B as the second electronic device are shown in FIG. 6B. The elements constituting the first camera 100A and the second camera 100B are the same as those described with reference to FIG. 1 in the first embodiment. Therefore, A is attached to the end of the reference for referring to each element constituting the first camera 100A, and B is attached to the end of the reference for referring to the core element constituting the second camera 100B, and the description thereof is omitted. To do. The first camera 100A and the second camera 100B may be the same model or different models.

  For communication between the first camera 100A and the second camera 100B, either wired or wireless mode can be used. In the case of wired, standards such as IEEE 1394 and USB can be used. In the case of wireless, standards such as IEEE802.11 can be used. Alternatively, a standard such as Bluetooth or IrDA may be used. Of course, a communication method based on an original standard may be used.

  7A and 7B are flowcharts schematically showing an imaging procedure and an image file transfer processing procedure executed by the first camera 100A and the second camera. The flowchart on the left shows the processing procedure executed by the CPU 110A in the first camera 100A, and the flowchart on the right shows the processing procedure executed by the CPU 110B in the second camera 100B.

  In the processing procedure illustrated in FIGS. 7A and 7B, an example is shown in which imaging is first performed by both the first camera 100A and the second camera 100B. These imaging operations are not necessarily performed simultaneously. First, the processing from S700 to S706 in the left flowchart will be described. In response to the user of the first camera 100A operating the operation unit 108A to perform an imaging operation, the subject A is imaged in S700. In S702, image processing is performed on the image signal obtained by the imaging, and the image data portion and the image information described with reference to FIG. 5 in the first embodiment are generated. The image file including the image data portion and the image information is given the file name generated by the file name generation process in S704, and is stored in the storage medium 112A in S706.

  Similarly, the subject B is imaged in S750 in response to the user of the second camera 100B operating the operation unit 108B to perform an imaging operation. In S752, image processing is performed on the image signal obtained by the imaging, and the image data portion and the image information described with reference to FIG. 5 in the first embodiment are generated. The image file including the image data portion and the image information is given the file name generated by the file name generation process in S754, and is stored in the storage medium 112B in S756.

  The processing from S708 to S712 is executed by the CPU 110A in response to the user of the first camera 100A setting the first camera 100A to the image file transfer mode and selecting the image file to be transmitted to the second camera 100B. . In S708, the CPU 110A performs a process of connecting to the second camera 100B to which the image file is transmitted. By this connection process, the CPU 110A can obtain information from the second camera 100B that can know what specifications the second camera 100B is. More specifically, it is possible to exchange information files such as image files or not. Overwrite prevention function that checks file name duplication when it is possible and changes the file name to another file name when there is duplication. Can be obtained. In this example, it is assumed that both the first camera 100A and the second camera 100B have the overwriting prevention function.

  In S710, the CPU 110A transmits the image file of the subject A selected by the user to the second camera 100B. At this time, in the second camera 100B, the process of S758 is executed by the CPU 110B, and the image file of the subject A transmitted from the first camera 100A is received. In S712, the CPU 110A performs a disconnection process to end communication with the second camera 100B.

  The processing from S760 to S764 is executed by the CPU 110B in response to the user of the second camera 100B setting the second camera 100B to the image file transfer mode and selecting an image file to be transmitted to the first camera 100A. . In S760, the CPU 110B performs a process of connecting to the first camera 100A to which the image file is transmitted. With this connection process, the CPU 110B can obtain information from the first camera 100A that allows the first camera 100A to know what kind of specification the camera is.

  In step S762, the CPU 110B transmits the image file of the subject B selected by the user to the first camera 100A. At this time, in the first camera 100A, the processing of S714 is executed by the CPU 110A, and the image file of the subject B transmitted from the second camera 100B is received. In S764, the CPU 110B performs a disconnection process to end communication with the first camera 100A.

  The processing of S716, S718, and S720 by the CPU 110A is processing for storing the image file of the subject B received in S714 in the storage medium 112A. That is, it is confirmed whether there is a file with a file name that overlaps with the file name of the received image file of the subject B (received image file) in the storage directory in the storage medium 112A. If there is no file with a duplicate file name, the original file The received image file is stored in the storage medium 112A by name. On the other hand, if a file with a file name that overlaps with the original file name exists, another file name generated according to a predetermined naming rule is assigned to the received image file and stored in the storage medium 112A. The processes in S716, S718, and S720 correspond to the processes in S352, S354, and S358 described with reference to FIG. 3 in the first embodiment.

  On the other hand, the CPU 110B performs processes similar to the processes in S716, S718, and S720 described above in S766, S768, and S770. As a result, the image file of the subject A is stored in the storage medium 112B.

  The processing in S722, S724, and S726 by the CPU 110A is processing for transmitting file storage information to the second camera 100B. The CPU 110A starts communication with the second camera 100B in S722, and transmits file storage information to the second camera 100B in S724. This file storage information includes information related to the file name given when the image file of the subject B transmitted from the second camera 100B is stored in the storage medium 112A. The file storage information preferably further includes information related to a storage destination directory when the image file of the subject B is stored in the storage medium 112A.

  In response to the transmission of the file storage information from the first camera 100A as described above, the CPU 110B of the second camera 100B performs a process of receiving the file storage information in S772. In step S774, the CPU 110B reads the image file of the subject B from the storage medium 112B onto the RAM 114B, and in subsequent step S776, performs processing for adding information based on the file storage information as transfer destination file storage information in the image information (see FIG. 5). .

  In S778, the CPU 110B performs a process of overwriting and storing in the storage medium 112B an image file including the image data portion and the image information updated as described above. In subsequent S780, the CPU 110B performs the same display on the display unit 106B as described with reference to FIG. 4 in the first embodiment.

  In S782, S784, and S786, the CPU 110B performs the same processing as that executed by the CPU 110A in S722, S724, and S726. Subsequently, the CPU 110A performs the same processing that the CPU 110B executes in steps S772 to S780 in steps S728 to S736. As a result, the image file of the subject A stored in the storage medium 112A is read onto the RAM 114A, and information based on the file storage information received from the second camera 100B is added to the image information as transfer destination file storage information. The Then, an image file including the image data portion and the updated image information is overwritten and stored in the storage medium 112A, and the display portion 106A is the same as described with reference to FIG. 4 in the first embodiment. Is displayed.

  In the above description, an example in which imaging processing, image file transmission / reception and storage processing, tag information update processing, and the like are alternately performed between the first camera 100A and the second camera 100B has been described. It is just an example for ease. These processes are performed as needed according to each user operating the first camera 100A and the second camera 100B.

  When a new file name is assigned to the image file during the file name generation process executed by the CPU 110A in S704 or the CPU 110B in S754, or in the file name determination process executed by the CPU 110A in S718 or the CPU 110B in S768 The file name assigning method will be described with reference to FIG.

  In the second embodiment, the first camera 100A and the second camera 100B perform imaging operations at any time, and transmission / reception of image files is performed at any time according to the camera user's wishes. An imaging operation may be performed during reception of an image file. In this case, if mediation is not performed between the two cameras when determining the file name, an unintended file name may be duplicated, and an important image file may be overwritten and deleted. The processing shown in FIG. 8 is executed to prevent this.

  The processing shown in FIG. 8 is executed by the CPU 110A and CPU 110B when assigning a file name to an image file. The process executed in FIG. 8 is a process for generating a file name compliant with the JEIDA DCF standard. The “file number” in FIG. 8 is the last four digits of the file name given according to the DCF standard (for example, ABCD1234.JPG) in the left part of the extension (in the above example, 1234 is Equivalent to that part). According to the DCF standard, each time a new image file is generated and stored, the last four digits are incremented sequentially until reaching 9999 from 0001. As a result, a file name including a file number that sequentially increases in the order in which the image files are generated is assigned to the newly generated image file.

  At this time, when the incremented result exceeds 9999 and reaches 10,000, a file number is set to 0001, a new directory (folder) is newly generated, and an image file having a file name including the file number 0001 is created. Store in a newly created directory. In the DCF standard, a name assigned to a directory also has a serial number part. When a directory is newly created, it is included in a directory name (eg, 100ABCDE) assigned to the directory. The number (100 in the example on the left) is incremented (example: 101ABCDE). This number corresponds to the “directory number” in FIG.

  A case where the processing shown in FIG. 8 is executed by the CPU 110A will be described below. In S800, the CPU 110A performs semaphore acquisition processing. That is, while the CPU 110A performs the processing of FIG. 8, exclusive control is performed so that the CPU 110B does not perform processing for assigning a file name (obtains exclusive processing authority). This is because if a plurality of CPUs 110A and 110B simultaneously perform file name generation processing, the possibility that the same file name is assigned to different image files cannot be excluded.

  In S802, the CPU 110A increments the file number in the file name assigned to the image file to be stored. In S804, the CPU 110A determines whether or not the file number incremented in S802 exceeds 9999 and reaches 10,000. If this determination is denied (file number is 9999 or less), the process branches to S808, whereas if affirmed (file number is 10000), the process proceeds to S806.

  In step S806, the CPU 110A resets the file number to 0001 and increments the directory number. In S808, the CPU 110A performs file name generation processing. At this time, if the directory number is incremented in S806, a directory (folder) having a directory name including the incremented directory number is generated.

  In S810, the CPU 110A performs semaphore release processing. As a result, both of the CPUs 110A and 110B can perform file name generation processing as needed. In S812, the CPU 110A further transmits file storage information including information related to the file name generated as described above to the CPU 110B.

  According to the second embodiment of the present invention described above, an information file is exchanged between a plurality of electronic devices that can be connected to each other, and the electronic device that receives the information file stores it in a storage medium. Check for duplicate file names. If there are duplicate file names, they are stored with a different file name generated according to a predetermined naming rule, and this is transmitted to the electronic device on the transmission side. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the problem that the user on the electronic device side that transmitted the information file cannot find the transmitted information file on the partner electronic device. In addition, since the user of the electronic device that sent the information file can know the file name when it was stored in the counterpart electronic device, the file name of the image file sent to the user of the counterpart electronic device Can teach what file name is given and stored in the storage medium of the counterpart electronic device.

− Third embodiment −
In the third embodiment of the present invention, an example will be described in which an information file can be exchanged between three or more electronic devices, and these electronic devices are all digital cameras. FIG. 9A is a diagram conceptually showing a state in which three digital cameras (first camera 100C, second camera 100D, and third camera 100E) are connected so that they can communicate with each other. is there. These digital cameras connected to each other are all of the same model, even if some of them are different, as long as they meet the standards that allow them to communicate with each other. May be.

  FIG. 9A shows an example in which the first camera 100C and the second camera 100D are the same model, and only the third camera 100E is a model different from the first camera 100C and the second camera 100D. Two of these three digital cameras serve as counterpart digital cameras (partner electronic devices) for the remaining one digital camera (electronic device). This division of roles is configured to be dynamically changeable depending on the situation at that time.

  The internal configuration of the first camera 100C, the second camera 100D, and the third camera 100E is shown in FIG. 9B. Elements constituting the first camera 100C, the second camera 100D, and the third camera 100E are the same as those described with reference to FIG. 1 in the first embodiment. Therefore, “C” is added to the end of the reference to each element constituting the first camera 100C, “D” is attached to the end of the reference to each element making up the second camera 100D, and the third camera 100E is made up. An E is appended to the end of the reference to refer to each element, and the description thereof is omitted.

  In the following, it is assumed that three users each have a digital camera. Then, the image file obtained by the user of the first camera 100C is transmitted to the second camera 100D and stored in the storage medium 112D of the second camera 100D, and this image file is now stored by the third camera 100E. An example in which the user of the third camera 100E browses the image received from the second camera 100D will be described. That is, in the present embodiment, an example is shown in which the second camera 100D and the third camera 100E are counterpart electronic devices for the first camera 100C.

  When communicating between the first camera 100C, the second camera 100D, and the third camera 100E, it is possible to use either wired or wireless forms as described in the first and second embodiments. is there. In the case of wired, standards such as IEEE 1394 and USB can be used. In the case of wireless, standards such as IEEE802.11 can be used. Alternatively, a standard such as Bluetooth or IrDA may be used. A communication method based on an original standard may be used. In the following, it is assumed that communication is performed between three cameras using radio.

  10A and 10B are flowcharts schematically showing an imaging procedure, an image file transfer processing procedure, an image file browsing procedure, and the like executed between the first camera 100C, the second camera 100D, and the third camera 100E. . In FIG. 10A and FIG. 10B, three flows are depicted. The leftmost flow is the CPU 110C in the first camera 100C, the central flow is the CPU 110D in the second camera 100D, and the rightmost flow is the processing content executed by the CPU 110E in the third camera 100E. Is shown.

  First, an operation for forming a group is executed among the first camera 100C, the second camera 100D, and the third camera 100E. That is, the users of the three cameras 100C, 100D, and 100E bring these cameras together and turn on the power of each camera. Then, the user of the first camera 100C operates the first camera 100C and performs an operation for forming a group. In response to this operation, the CPU 110C in the first camera 100C executes connection processing in S1000. That is, a “calling” operation is performed on cameras existing in the vicinity of the first camera 100C (in this embodiment, the second camera 100D and the third camera 100E correspond), and a response from another camera is awaited. In response to the “calling” operation, the second camera 100D and the third camera 100E display on the display units 106D and 106E to make the user select whether or not to join the group. When the users of the second camera 100D and the third camera 100E perform an operation of determining to join the group, a group of three people is formed.

  At this time, various information is transmitted between the first camera 100C, the second camera 100D, and the third camera 100E, and it is possible to know what specifications the cameras constituting the group are. Configured. Specifically, whether it is possible to exchange information files such as image files, and whether it has a function of checking file name duplication when it is possible and changing the file name to another file name when there is duplication , And so on.

  In addition to the above, between each camera 100C, 100D, and 100E, ID information that can uniquely identify each camera, for example, information related to a combination of a camera model name and a serial number is also transmitted. This ID information is stored in the RAMs 114C, 114D, 114E of the cameras 100C, 100D, 100E, the storage media 112C, 112D, 112E, and the like. Thereafter, information for specifying the transmission destination can be incorporated into the header portion of the information transmitted from each camera. Thereby, other cameras having the same functions as those of the first camera 100C, the second camera 100D, and the third camera 100E exist in the vicinity of the group constituted by the first camera 100C, the second camera 100D, and the third camera 100E. Even if this is done, an unintended transmission of an information file or other information will not be sent to a camera outside the group. Further, since it is possible to recognize which camera the transmitted information is addressed to, a camera that is not set as a transmission destination does not execute an operation of receiving a large amount of information.

  Thereafter, it is assumed that the CPU 110C executes the imaging process procedure in response to the user of the first camera 100C performing an operation for imaging the subject A. In response to the user of the first camera 100C performing an imaging operation, the CPU 110C performs a series of controls relating to the subject imaging operation in S1002.

  In S1004, the CPU 110C issues a control signal to the image processing unit 104C so as to perform image processing on the image signal obtained by the imaging. As a result, the image data portion and the image information described with reference to FIG. 5 in the first embodiment are generated. The image file including the image data portion and the image information is given the file name generated by the file name generation process in S1006, and is stored in the storage medium 112C in S1008.

  Subsequently, it is assumed that the user of the first camera 100C performs an operation for transmitting the image file of the subject A to the second camera 100D. In response to this operation, the CPU 110C transmits the image file of the subject A to the second camera 100D in S1010. At this time, in the second camera 100D, the process of S1040 is executed by the CPU 110D, and the image file of the subject A transmitted from the first camera 100C is received.

  The processes from S1042 to S1048 executed by the CPU 110D of the second camera 100D are processes for storing the image file of the subject A received from the first camera 100C in the process of S1040 in the storage medium 112D. That is, it is confirmed whether there is a file having a file name that overlaps the file name of the received image file of the subject A (received image file) in the storage directory in the storage medium 112D. If the CPU 110D determines that there is no file with a duplicate file name, it stores the received image file in the storage medium 112D with the original file name (which was originally given to the image file received from the first camera 100C). . On the other hand, if it is determined that a file with a file name that overlaps with the original file name exists, the CPU 110D assigns another file name generated according to a predetermined naming rule to the received image file, and stores it in the storage medium 112D. Remember.

  In S1048, the CPU 110D transmits the file storage information to both the first camera 100C and the third camera 100E. The file storage information is a file assigned when the image file of the subject A transmitted from the first camera 100C is stored in the storage medium 112D, as described in the first and second embodiments. Contains information related to the name. The file storage information preferably further includes information related to a storage destination directory when the image file of the subject A is stored in the storage medium 112D.

  In response to the file storage information transmitted from the second camera 100D as described above, the CPU 110C of the first camera 100C and the CPU 110E of the third camera 100E execute processing described below. That is, the CPU 110C of the first camera 100C performs a process of receiving the file storage information in S1012. In step S1014, the CPU 110C reads the image file of the subject A from the storage medium 112C onto the RAM 114C. In step S1016, the CPU 110C adds information based on the file storage information to the image information (see FIG. 5) as transfer destination file storage information. Do. In S1018, the CPU 110C performs a process of overwriting and storing the image file including the image data portion and the image information updated as described above in the storage medium 112C. In step S1020, the CPU 110C performs the same display on the display unit 106C as described with reference to FIG. 4 in the first embodiment.

  On the other hand, the CPU 110E of the third camera 100E performs the process of receiving the file storage information transmitted from the second camera 100D as described above in S1070. In subsequent S1072, the CPU 110E adds the message “The image file has been transmitted and saved from the first camera 100C to the second camera 100D” to the image file of the subject A when storing it in the storage media 112C and 112D. The file name is displayed on the display unit 106E.

  Subsequently, the user of the third camera 100E who sees the message displayed on the display unit 106E as described above displays the image of the subject A transferred and stored in the second camera 100D on the display of the third camera 100E. The following description will be given on the assumption that the browsing operation is performed on the unit 106E.

  The user of the third camera 100E operates the operation unit 108E to open and browse the image file of the subject A transferred and stored in the second camera 100D. The CPU 110E accepts the operation in S1074. In S <b> 1076, the CPU 110 </ b> E performs processing for transmitting browsing file designation information including information for specifying a file that the user of the third camera 100 </ b> E desires to browse to the second camera 100 </ b> D. The CPU 110D of the second camera 100D receives this browse file designation information in S1050. In step S <b> 1052, the CPU 110 </ b> D reads the image file having the file name designated by the browse file designation information onto the RAM 114. In step S1054, the CPU 110D performs processing for transmitting the image file to the third camera 100E.

  The CPU 110E of the third camera 100E performs a process of executing the process of receiving the image file transmitted from the second camera 100D as described above in S1078. In step S1080, the CPU 110E performs processing for displaying an image based on the image file received in step S1078 on the display unit 106E.

  In this way, the image file generated by the user of the first camera 100C can be transmitted to the image file transmitted from the second camera 100D and stored in the storage medium 112D. Further, the user of the third camera 100E can also download and view the image file in the third camera 100E that the user has. At this time, the second camera 100D that has received the image file from the first camera 100C and stored it in the storage medium 112D has the file name given to this image file when storing the received image file in the storage medium 112D. Is transmitted to the first camera 100C and the third camera 100E. As a result, when the image file of the subject A having the authority managed by the user of the first camera 100C is later deleted from the second camera 100D, the target image file can be specified smoothly. Become. In addition, when the user of the third camera 100E wants to view the image of the subject A, the user knows what file name the image file is stored in the storage medium 112D of the second camera 100D. Can do. For this reason, it becomes possible to specify the target image file smoothly. In addition, if the second camera 100D is in a busy state such as during moving image capturing, an image file including the image of the subject A can be downloaded from the first camera 100C. The image file can be easily specified. Note that when an image file is exchanged for the purpose of viewing, an index image or the like including information that can make the file size relatively small may be exchanged.

  In the above, the image file captured and generated by the first camera 100C is transmitted to the second camera 100D and stored, and then transmitted from the second camera 100D to the third camera 100E to display the third camera 100E. The example in which the user of the third camera 100E browses with the unit 106E has been described. The present invention is not limited to this, and among a plurality of cameras forming a group, an image file shot and generated by an arbitrary camera can be transmitted to any other camera and stored. It may be configured to be viewable with any other camera.

-Fourth embodiment-
In the fourth embodiment of the present invention, as shown in FIG. 11A, a case where a computer 300 as an external device is connected to a digital camera 100F as an electronic device will be described as an example. Then, as described in the first embodiment, transmission / reception of image files and transmission / reception of information such as file storage information are performed. The combination of devices connected to each other is not limited to that shown in FIG. 11A, but can be implemented in various forms such as digital cameras, a voice recorder and a computer, a data logger and a computer.

  FIG. 11B is a block diagram schematically showing an internal configuration of the digital camera 100F and the computer 300. Elements constituting the digital camera 100F are the same as those described with reference to FIG. 1 in the first embodiment. Therefore, F is added to the end of the code that refers to each element constituting the digital camera 100F, and the description thereof is omitted.

  The internal configuration of the computer 300 will be described. The computer 300 includes an image processing unit 304, a display unit 306B, an operation unit 308, a CPU 310, a storage medium 312, a RAM 314, a ROM 316, and a communication unit 318. The display unit 308 is configured by a liquid crystal display panel or the like and can display characters, images, and the like. The display unit 306 may be configured integrally with the computer 300 or may be configured separately. The operation unit 308 can include a keyboard, a mouse, a touch pen, a trackball, various switches, and the like. The storage medium 312 can include a hard disk drive, a solid state drive, a memory card, or the like. The RAM 314 is a randomly accessible storage device for temporarily storing programs, data, and the like, and is preferably composed of an SD-RAM or the like.

  The ROM 316 is a read-only storage device provided as necessary, and can store BIOS, firmware, and the like. The communication unit 318 can exchange information with other electronic devices. As described in the first to third embodiments, the communication unit 318 can use either a wired or wireless form. Is possible. In the case of wired, standards such as IEEE 1394 and USB can be used. In the case of wireless, standards such as IEEE802.11 can be used. Alternatively, a standard such as Bluetooth or IrDA may be used. A communication method based on an original standard may be used.

  The CPU 310 executes a program read from the ROM 318 or the storage medium 312 onto the RAM 314. The image processing unit 304 is for processing image data and the like received from the digital camera 100F and read out on the RAM 314. The image processing unit 304 can be implemented by reading an image processing program stored in the storage medium 312 into the RAM 314 and executing it by the CPU 310.

  FIG. 12 shows a procedure when the digital camera 100F is set to the image file transfer mode described in the first embodiment and processing such as image file transfer is performed between the digital camera 100F and the computer 300. It is shown. In FIG. 12, the processing procedure from S1200 to S1218 executed by the CPU 110F when the digital camera 100F is set to the image file transfer mode is shown on the left side. Further, on the right side of FIG. 12, the processing procedure from S1250 to S1258 executed by the computer 300 is shown.

  In S1200, the CPU 110F performs processing for accepting an image file selection operation by the user, as described in the first embodiment. Then, the image file that the user desires to transmit to the computer 300 is specified. In S1202, the CPU 110F reads the data of the selected image file from the storage medium 112F onto the RAM 114F. Image file data read onto the RAM 114F includes an image data portion 1302 and image information 1304, as shown in the upper left of FIG. The image information 1304 includes information 1306 regarding the orientation of the image. This information is information indicating in which direction the image is rotated and displayed when the image data is expanded and displayed on the display unit. Especially when shooting in vertical composition (holding the camera so that the long side of the screen is almost parallel to the vertical line), the camera may be held with the grip side up or down. Therefore, if it is possible to specify the rotation direction when displaying the image, it is easy to view the image. Hereinafter, the information 1306 is referred to as display direction designation information. In the present embodiment, the display direction designation information 1306 corresponds to “no rotation” in the image file stored in the storage medium 112F as a result of the photographing operation by the user of the digital camera 100F. In the following description, it is assumed that the image data has a pixel size of 2560 × 1920.

  In step S1204, the CPU 110F performs a connection process with the computer 300, and enables bidirectional communication between the digital camera 100F and the computer 300 to be started. In subsequent S1206, the CPU 110F performs a process of transferring the image file 1300 on the RAM 114F toward the computer 300.

  In response to the processing in S1206 by the CPU 110F, the computer 300 receives the image file 1300 transmitted from the digital camera 100F in S1250. At this time, the computer 300 also digitally stores information related to the file name (hereinafter referred to as “original file name”) given to the image file 1300 when stored in the storage medium 112F of the digital camera 100F. Received from the camera 100F.

  In step S1252, the computer 300 stores the file name of the received image file in the directory in which the received image file (hereinafter, the image file received by the computer 300 from the digital camera 100F) is to be stored. Search for a file with the same file name.

  Based on the file name search process result in S1252, the computer 300 performs a file name determination process in S1254. The details of the file name determination process are the same as those described in the first embodiment, and a description thereof will be omitted.

  In S1256, the computer 300 transmits file storage information including information related to the file name determined in S1254 to the digital camera 100F. In the subsequent S1258, the computer 300 stores the received image file (corresponding to the image file 1300A shown in the upper right side of FIG. 13) with the file name determined in S1254 in an auxiliary storage device constituted by a hard disk, a flash memory, or the like. To do. Here, the file name determined in S1254 is P1010058. It is assumed to be JPG.

  In response to the processing of S1256 described above by the computer 300, the CPU 110F performs file storage information reception processing in S1208. In S1210, the CPU 110F performs tag information update processing based on the file storage information received from the computer 300 in S1208. Since the process in S1210 is the same as the process in S310 of FIG. 3 in the first embodiment, a description thereof will be omitted.

  In S1212, the CPU 110F performs image data reduction processing. That is, the CPU 110F performs a resizing process on the image data corresponding to the image data unit 1302 read on the RAM 114F, and performs a process of reducing the file size. In the present embodiment, the pixel size after the resizing process is 640 × 480. However, in the present invention, the pixel size after the resizing process may be larger or smaller than 640 × 480. Furthermore, the processing for increasing the compression rate may be performed without performing the resizing processing, or both the processing for resizing and the processing for increasing the compression rate may be performed.

  After the above-described process of the CPU 110F in S1212, the CPU 110F performs a process of storing in the storage medium 112F in S1214. At this time, since the file name given to the image file stored in the storage medium 112F is the original file name described above, the image file generated by the processing in S1210 and S1212 described above is overwritten and stored in the storage medium 112F. Will be. In the lower left side of FIG. 13, the file structure of an image file 1300B that is stored over the storage medium 112F is shown. The image file 1300B stored by overwriting has image information 1304A and an image data portion 1302A. As described above, the image data portion 1302A has a pixel size of 640 × 480 after image data reduction processing is performed in S1212. Further, the image information 1304A includes information such as transfer destination file storage information 1308, display direction designation information 1306, and a transfer completed flag 1310.

  When the CPU 110F performs a process of reading an image file from the storage medium 112F in a later process, it is determined whether or not the image file has already been transmitted to the computer 300 by referring to the image information 1304 (1304A). It becomes possible. Further, when the image data in the image data sections 1302 and 1302A is expanded and displayed, the image can be displayed easily for the user by rotating the image based on the display direction designation information.

  Subsequently, P1010001. Overwritten in the storage medium 112F of the digital camera 100F as described above. An example in which the user opens the JPG and performs an image rotation operation will be described with reference to FIGS. 14 and 15. FIG. 14 is a flowchart schematically showing a processing procedure executed by the CPU 110F of the digital camera 100F and the computer 300 in response to the user operation described above. The processing procedure executed by the CPU 110F is shown on the left side of FIG. 14, and the processing procedure executed on the computer 300 is shown on the right side. FIG. 15 conceptually shows the contents of an image file that is changed through the processing procedure shown in FIG.

  The user operates the operation unit 108F, sets the digital camera 100F to the image display mode, and performs an operation of selecting an image to be displayed on the display unit 106F. Here, the user selects P1010001. From the image files stored in the storage medium 112F. It is assumed that an image file with a file name “JPG” is designated. In response to this operation, in step S1400, the CPU 110F performs processing for accepting an operation target file selection operation. In S1402, the CPU 110F reads the image file selected by the user onto the RAM 114F, and performs a process of displaying an image on the display unit 106F in S1404. The image file read from the storage medium 112F in S1402 is the image file 1300B shown on the upper left side of FIG. Since the image data portion 1302A included in the image file 1300B is resized to a pixel size of 640 × 480 as an example, the time required for reading from the storage medium 112F and displaying the image on the display portion 106F is shortened. It becomes possible to do. Note that the image file 1300A including the image data portion 1302 before being resized is stored in the storage medium 312 of the computer 300 in the P1010058. A file name JPG is assigned and stored.

  The user looks at the image displayed on the display unit 106F and performs an operation of rotating the orientation of the displayed image. This operation will be described. The display unit 106F normally has a horizontally long display screen. P1010001. Assuming that the JPG is obtained by imaging with the above-described vertical composition, the image displayed on the display unit 106F is lying on the side. When capturing a vertical composition, the user may hold the digital camera 100F with the grip side up or hold it down. Accordingly, the top side of the image displayed on the display unit 106F may be located on the right side or the left side of the screen. In addition, when shooting with a special composition or the like, it may be easier to see if the displayed image is upside down. In consideration of such a situation, the digital camera 100F can be configured so that the display direction for displaying an image can be designated in an arbitrary direction.

  In step S1406, the CPU 110F accepts the above-described display direction designation operation by the user, and performs a process of rotating the image displayed on the display unit 106F in the designated display direction. As an example, the digital camera 100F is configured to be able to accept display direction designation operations such as 90 ° in the clockwise direction (CW), 90 ° in the counterclockwise direction (CCW), and 180 ° in any direction. Is done. In this embodiment, it is assumed that the user has performed an operation of designating the display direction to be 90 ° (CCW 90 °) in the counterclockwise direction.

  In S1408, the CPU 110F reads P1010001. The display direction designation information 1306 in the image information 1304A included in the JPG image file 1300B is rewritten from one corresponding to “image orientation: no rotation” to one corresponding to “image orientation: CCW 90 °”.

  In S1410, the CPU 110F determines the state of the file transfer completed flag 1310 in the image information 1304A. That is, it is determined whether or not the image file (P100001.JPG image file in this example) has been transmitted to the computer 300 before. “Transfer completed flag: ON” means that the image file has been transmitted to the computer 300 before.

  In S1412 which is a branch destination when the determination in S1410 is affirmed, the CPU 110F performs a process of connecting to the computer 300. In response to this processing, the computer 300 is ready to communicate with the digital camera 100F.

  In S1414, the CPU 110F performs a transfer destination file name determination process. The transfer destination file name determination process will be described. The CPU 110F is connected to the computer 300, and performs a remote operation on an image file previously transmitted to the computer 300 and stored. That is, the CPU 110F designates the file name of the image file stored in the storage medium 312 of the computer 300, and transmits a processing command to the computer 300 so as to perform predetermined processing on the image file. The image file stored in the storage medium 312 may be stored with the file name changed as described above (in this example, the image file having the file name P1010001.JPG is the digital camera 100F. To the computer 300, renamed to the file name P1010058.JPG, and stored in the storage medium 312). Therefore, the CPU 110F refers to the transfer destination file storage information 1308 in the image information 1304A. In this example, P1010001. Stored in the storage medium 112F. The image file corresponding to the image file having the file name JPG is stored in the storage medium 312 of the computer 300 as P1010058. The CPU 110F can know that the file is stored with the file name JPG by referring to the transfer destination file storage information 1308. This is the transfer destination file name determination process performed in S1414.

  In step S <b> 1416, the CPU 110 </ b> F transmits the file name of the image file to be processed by the computer 300 to the computer 300. The processing target file name transmitted here is the file name (P1010058.JPG in this example) obtained by the transfer destination file name determination processing in S1414. In response to this, the computer 300 receives the processing target file name transmitted from the CPU 110F in S1450.

  In S1418, the CPU 110F transmits a display direction designation information change command to the computer 300. The CPU 110F also transmits display direction designation information (information corresponding to CCW 90 ° in this example) together with the above command. In response to this, the computer 300 receives the display direction designation information change command and the display direction designation information transmitted from the CPU 110F.

  In S1454, the computer 300 reads the image file corresponding to the processing target file name received in S1450 from the storage medium 312 onto the RAM 314. The image file read at this time is an image file 1300A shown in the upper right of FIG.

  In S <b> 1456, the computer 300 changes the display direction designation information 1306 included in the image information 1304 of the image file 1300 </ b> A read onto the RAM 314 from the information corresponding to “image orientation: no rotation” to “image orientation: CCW 90 °. Is updated to information corresponding to "."

  In S1458, the computer 300 overwrites and stores the image file 1300D including the image information 1304C updated in S1456 and the image data unit 1302 on the storage medium 312, and completes the execution of a series of processes. As a result, the image file 1300D shown in the lower right of FIG. 15 is stored on the storage medium 312. Thereafter, P1010058. When the JPG file is opened and browsed, the display direction rotation process is performed based on the display direction designation information 1306A, so that it is easy to browse the image captured in the vertical composition.

  Returning to the description of the processing in the digital camera 100F, the CPU 110F performs processing of disconnecting the connection state with the computer 300 in S1420. Subsequently, in S1422, the CPU 110F selects an image file 1300C having the image information 1304B including the updated display direction designation information 1306A and the image data portion 1302A shown in the lower left of FIG. 15 as the original file name (in this example, P1010001.JPG) is overwritten and stored in the storage medium 112F, and a series of processing is completed.

  If the determination in S1410 is negative, it means that the image file whose display direction designation information has been updated in S1408 does not have a history transmitted to the computer 300 previously. Therefore, the CPU 110F skips the processing from S1412 to S1420. In step S1422, the image file including the image information including the updated display direction designation information and the image data portion is overwritten and stored in the storage medium 112F with the original file name.

  The fourth embodiment can be considered to sequentially transmit image files generated by shooting with the digital camera 100F to a computer 300 as a file server in a situation such as studio shooting. That is, after transmitting the image data to the computer 300, the user does not care about the remaining capacity of the storage medium 112F by reducing the capacity of the image data in the image file stored in the storage medium 112F of the digital camera 100F. Shooting can be continued. On the other hand, it is possible to quickly confirm the images obtained so far by leaving a sufficient amount of images in the storage medium 112F for confirming what kind of image it is. Become.

  At this time, the image file stored in the storage medium 112F of the digital camera 100F is transmitted to the computer 300, and there is no duplication of the file name when the image file is stored in the storage medium 312. Can be suppressed. In addition, since the file storage information including the file name given to the image file when it is stored on the computer 300 side is transmitted from the computer 300 to the digital camera 100F, the user of the digital camera 100F uses the target in the computer 300. It is possible to easily find the image file.

  Further, the image information included in the image file stored in the storage medium 112F of the digital camera 100F can include transfer destination file storage information, display direction designation information, a file transfer completed flag, and the like. Therefore, a process for changing the display direction of the image file stored in the storage medium 112F of the digital camera 100F without the user being aware of the file name of the image file stored in the storage medium 312 of the computer 300. When this happens, the image information in the corresponding image file in the storage medium 312 of the computer 300 can be easily updated in conjunction therewith.

  As described above, in the first to fourth embodiments, the electronic device is a digital camera and the counterpart electronic device or the external device is a digital camera or a computer. However, the present invention is applied to various combinations of electronic devices. Is possible. The digital camera may be a still camera or a movie camera. The present invention can be applied not only to a digital camera but also to a voice recorder that records voice as digital data, a data logger that can collect various measurement data, and the like.

  The present invention is an electronic still camera, movie camera, voice recorder, data logger, mobile phone, etc., a device capable of recording various data including image data and audio data, a computer that can be connected to these devices, and a single unit. The present invention can be applied to information equipment such as an operable portable storage device.

It is a block diagram which shows the internal structure of a digital camera schematically. It is a figure which shows notionally a mode that a digital camera and a computer are connected so that transmission / reception of information is possible. It is a flowchart which illustrates roughly the process sequence of image file transmission / reception performed with a digital camera and a computer. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a message displayed on a display unit of a digital camera when an image file transfer process is completed. It is a block diagram which illustrates the internal structure of an image file. It is a figure which shows notionally a mode that two digital cameras are connected so that transmission / reception of information is possible. It is a block diagram which shows roughly the internal structure of the two digital cameras connected mutually. It is a flowchart which illustrates roughly the process sequence of an imaging and image file transfer performed with two digital cameras. It is a flowchart following the flowchart shown in FIG. 7A. FIG. 5 is a flowchart schematically illustrating a procedure for generating a file name executed by two digital cameras, and duplication of file names occurs even in a situation where files are generated almost simultaneously by two digital cameras. The processing procedure for making it not exist is shown. It is a figure which shows notionally a mode that three digital cameras are connected so that transmission / reception of information is possible. It is a block diagram which shows roughly the internal structure of the three digital cameras connected mutually. 4 is a flowchart schematically showing processing procedures such as imaging, image file transfer, image file storage, and image file display, which are executed by three digital cameras. It is a flowchart following the flowchart shown in FIG. 10A. It is a figure which shows notionally a mode that a digital camera and a computer are connected so that transmission / reception of information is possible. It is a block diagram which shows roughly the internal structure of the digital camera and computer which are mutually connected. It is a flowchart which illustrates roughly the process sequence of image file transfer and image data reduction which are performed with a digital camera and a computer. FIG. 13 is a block diagram schematically showing an internal configuration of an image file generated by executing the processing procedure shown in the flowchart of FIG. 12. It is a flowchart which shows roughly the process sequence at the time of rewriting the display direction designation | designated information in the image file in a computer according to processing of an image display direction rotation process with a digital camera. FIG. 15 is a block diagram schematically showing an internal configuration of an image file generated by executing the processing procedure shown in the flowchart of FIG. 14.

Explanation of symbols

100, 100A, 100B, 100C, 100D, 100E, 100F ... Digital camera 106, 106A, 106B, 106C, 106D, 106E, 106F, 306 ... Display unit 108, 108A, 108B, 108C, 108D, 108E, 108F ... Operation unit 110, 110A, 110B, 110C, 110D, 110E, 110F ... CPU
112, 112A, 112B, 112C, 112D, 112E, 112F ... Storage medium 118, 118A, 118B, 118C, 118D, 118E, 118F, 318 ... Communication unit 200, 300 ... Computer 500, 500A, 1300, 1300A, 1300B, 1300C 1300D ... Image files 502, 1302, 1302A ... Image data parts 504, 504A, 1304, 1304A, 1304B, 1304C ... Image information 1306, 1306A ... Display direction designation information 1310 ... File transfer completed flag

Claims (14)

An electronic device having an information storage device capable of storing an information file including therein a data portion and incidental information related to the data portion,
A transmission file selection unit that selects an information file to be transmitted to an external device from one or more of the information files stored in the information storage device;
A transmission unit that transmits the information file having a predetermined file name selected by the transmission file selection unit to the external device;
File storage information for receiving, from the external device, file storage information including transfer destination file name information, which is information related to the file name assigned when the information file having the predetermined file name is stored in the external device A receiver,
A transfer destination file storage information addition processing unit for adding information based on the file storage information as transfer destination file storage information to the incidental information included in the information file having the predetermined file name. An electronic device.   In addition to the transfer destination file name information, the file storage information further includes storage destination directory information for specifying a storage location when the information file having the predetermined file name is stored in the external device. The electronic device according to claim 1. A command generation unit for generating a processing command for processing the information file that has been transmitted and stored in advance to the external device by remotely operating the external device from the electronic device side;
When selecting a processing target file that is a target information file to be processed in the external device by the remote operation based on the processing command, the processing is performed from among the information files stored in the information storage device. A processing target information file selection unit that enables the selection by designating an information file corresponding to the target file;
A command transmission unit that transmits processing target file designation information that specifies the processing target file selected by the processing target file selection unit and information related to the processing command to the external device;
The command transmission unit includes the transfer destination file storage information added to the auxiliary information included in the information file corresponding to the processing target file among the information files stored in the information storage device. It is configured to be able to extract file storage information, generate the processing target file designation information based on the file storage information, and send it to the external device together with information related to the processing command. The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein the electronic device is characterized in that: An image capturing unit that captures an image of the subject and generates image data;
The information file is an image file in which the image data is accommodated in the data portion,
The supplementary information included in the information file is image information including at least an imaging condition when the imaging unit captures the subject and generates the image data. The electronic device according to any one of the above. An electronic device configured to be capable of receiving the information file transmitted from a counterpart electronic device having a first information storage device capable of storing an information file including a data portion and incidental information related to the data portion. A device,
An information file receiving unit for receiving the information file transmitted from the counterpart electronic device;
A second information storage device for storing the information file received by the information file receiver on the electronic device side;
Whether the file name of the received information file, which is the information file received by the information file receiver, is the same as the file name assigned to another information file already stored in the second information storage device A file name duplication judgment unit for judging
When the file name duplication determination unit determines that there is no duplication, the file name originally given to the reception information file is determined as a file name to be given to the reception information file, and the duplication is determined. If it is determined that there is, a file name determination unit that determines another file name generated according to a predetermined naming rule as a file name to be given to the reception information file;
A file storage processing unit for storing the received information file in the second information storage device by giving the file name determined by the file name determination unit;
An electronic apparatus comprising: a file storage information transmission unit configured to transmit file storage information including the file name determined by the file name determination unit to the partner electronic device that has transmitted the information file. The electronic device is
The partner electronic device is configured to be capable of communicating with a plurality of partner electronic devices including a first partner electronic device and at least a second partner electronic device,
A communication partner specifying information storage unit for storing communication partner specifying information which is information capable of individually specifying the plurality of partner electronic devices;
The file storage information transmission unit is a file determined by the file name determination unit for each of the plurality of partner electronic devices specified by the communication partner specifying information stored in the communication partner specifying information storage unit. 6. The electronic device of claim 5, wherein the electronic device is configured to transmit file storage information including a name. An image capturing unit that captures an image of the subject and generates image data;
The information file is an image file in which the image data is accommodated in the data portion,
The supplementary information included in the information file is image information including at least an imaging condition when the subject is imaged by the imaging unit to generate the image data.
The second information storage device is configured to be capable of storing the image file in which the image data generated by the imaging unit is accommodated in the data unit, and an information file received by the information file receiving unit The electronic device according to claim 5, wherein the electronic device is configured to be memorable. A first electronic device having a first information storage device capable of storing an information file including therein a data portion and incidental information related to the data portion; and second information capable of storing the information file A second electronic device having a storage device, and the second electronic device receives the information file transmitted from the first electronic device and stored in the first information storage device. An information file sharing system that can be stored in the second information storage device,
The first electronic device includes:
A transmission file selection unit that selects an information file to be transmitted to the second electronic device from one or more of the information files stored in the first information storage device;
A transmission unit that transmits the information file having a predetermined file name selected by the transmission file selection unit to the second electronic device;
The second electronic device includes:
An information file receiving unit for receiving the information file transmitted from the first electronic device;
Whether the file name of the received information file, which is the information file received by the information file receiver, is the same as the file name assigned to another information file already stored in the second information storage device A file name duplication judgment unit for judging
When the file name duplication determination unit determines that there is no duplication, the file name to be given to the reception information file is the predetermined file name that is the file name originally given to the reception information file And when it is determined that there is an overlap, a file name determination unit that determines another file name generated according to a predetermined naming rule as a file name to be given to the reception information file;
A file storage processing unit for storing the received information file in the second information storage device by giving the file name determined by the file name determination unit;
A file storage information transmission unit that transmits file storage information including the file name determined by the file name determination unit to the first electronic device;
The first electronic device further includes
A file storage information receiving unit for receiving the file storage information transmitted from the second electronic device;
A transfer destination file storage information addition processing unit for adding information based on the file storage information as transfer destination file storage information to the incidental information included in the information file having the predetermined file name. Information file sharing system. The first electronic device further includes
A command for generating a processing command for processing the information file previously transmitted and stored in the second electronic device by remotely operating the second electronic device from the first electronic device side A generator,
An information file stored in the first information storage device when selecting a processing target file that is a target information file to be processed in the second electronic device by the remote operation based on the processing command A processing target information file selection unit that enables the selection by designating an information file corresponding to the processing target file,
A command transmission unit configured to transmit processing target file designation information for designating the processing target file selected by the processing target file selection unit and information related to the processing command to the second electronic device;
The command transmission unit stores the transfer destination file added to the supplementary information included in the information file corresponding to the processing target file among the information files stored in the first information storage device. The file storage information is extracted from the information, the processing target file designation information is generated based on the file storage information, and transmitted to the second electronic device together with information related to the processing command The information file sharing system according to claim 8. And at least a third electronic device capable of communicating with the first and second electronic devices,
The second electronic device further includes a communication partner specifying information storage unit that stores communication partner specifying information that is information capable of individually specifying the first electronic device and the at least third electronic device,
The file storage information transmitting unit is configured to store the file for each of the first electronic device and the at least third electronic device specified by the communication partner specifying information stored in the communication partner specifying information storage unit. 10. The information file sharing system according to claim 8, wherein the file storage information including the file name determined by the name determination unit is configured to be transmitted. The first electronic device further includes an imaging unit that images a subject and generates image data;
The information file is an image file in which the image data is accommodated in the data portion,
11. The supplementary information included in the information file is image information including at least an imaging condition when the imaging unit captures the subject and generates the image data. The information file sharing system according to any one of the above. Each of the first, second, and at least third electronic devices further includes an imaging unit that images a subject and generates image data;
The information file is an image file in which the image data is accommodated in the data portion,
The supplementary information included in the information file is image information including at least an imaging condition when the imaging unit captures the subject and generates the image data. Information file sharing system. An image capturing unit that captures an image of the subject and generates image data; and includes at least an image capturing condition for capturing the image of the subject by the image capturing unit and generating the image data. A first electronic device having a first information storage device capable of storing an image file containing image information therein; a second electronic device having a second information storage device capable of storing the image file; The image file stored in the first information storage device transmitted from the first electronic device can be received by the second electronic device and stored in the second information storage device An image file sharing system configured as follows:
The first electronic device includes:
A transmission file selection unit that selects a target image file to be transmitted to the second electronic device from one or more of the image files stored in the first information storage device;
A transmission unit that transmits an image file having a predetermined file name selected by the transmission file selection unit to the second electronic device;
The second electronic device includes:
An image file receiving unit for receiving the image file transmitted from the first electronic device;
Whether the file name of the received image file which is the image file received by the image file receiving unit is the same as the file name assigned to another image file already stored in the second information storage device A file name duplication judgment unit for judging
When the file name duplication determination unit determines that there is no duplication, the file name to be given to the received image file is the predetermined file name that is the file name originally given to the received image file And when it is determined that there is an overlap, a file name determination unit that determines another file name generated according to a predetermined naming rule as a file name to be given to the received image file;
A file storage processing unit for storing the received image file in the second information storage device by giving the file name determined by the file name determination unit;
A file storage information transmission unit that transmits file storage information including the file name determined by the file name determination unit to the first electronic device;
The first electronic device further includes
A file storage information receiving unit for receiving the file storage information transmitted from the second electronic device;
The image file having the predetermined file name stored in the first information storage device is read out, the image data size is reduced with respect to the image data included in the image file, and reduced image data is generated. An image data reduction processing unit for processing;
Performing a process of adding information based on the file storage information as transfer destination file storage information to the image information included in the image file having the predetermined file name, and the processed image information and the reduced image data An image file sharing system comprising: an overwriting storage processing unit that generates an image file in which the image file is stored and performs overwriting storage processing with the predetermined file name.   The image according to claim 13, wherein the image data reduction processing unit is configured to be able to perform a resizing process for reducing a pixel size or a process for increasing an image compression rate on the image data. File sharing system.

Images