U.S. patent application number 09/840914 was filed with the patent office on 2002-05-02 for recording medium for data file management, apparatus for data file management, handling apparatus for image data, and image capturing system.
This patent application is currently assigned to NIKON CORPORATION. Invention is credited to Takahashi, Isao.
Application Number | 20020051065 09/840914 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 27481247 |
Filed Date | 2002-05-02 |
United States Patent
Application |
20020051065 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Takahashi, Isao |
May 2, 2002 |
Recording medium for data file management, apparatus for data file
management, handling apparatus for image data, and image capturing
system
Abstract
When a shutter release operation is performed at an electronic
still camera, an MPU records image data output from an image
capturing element into a CF card. The MPU also stores the image
data in a transfer buffer memory of an interface circuit. The image
data stored in the transfer buffer memory are transferred to a
transfer buffer memory provided at an interface circuit of a
personal computer connected via an IEEE-1394 cable. The MPU of the
personal computer reads out the image data having been taken into
the personal computer from the transfer buffer memory and records
them in a specific recording area in a recording device.
Inventors: |
Takahashi, Isao;
(Koshigaya-shi, JP) |
Correspondence
Address: |
OLIFF & BERRIDGE, PLC
P.O. BOX 19928
ALEXANDRIA
VA
22320
US
|
Assignee: |
NIKON CORPORATION
TOKYO
JP
|
Family ID: |
27481247 |
Appl. No.: |
09/840914 |
Filed: |
April 25, 2001 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
348/231.6 ;
348/231.99; 386/E5.069; 386/E5.072 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H04N 5/907 20130101;
H04N 1/32101 20130101; H04N 5/772 20130101; H04N 2201/3215
20130101; H04N 2201/3226 20130101; H04N 2201/3247 20130101; H04N
5/76 20130101; H04N 2201/3214 20130101; H04N 5/77 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
348/232 ;
348/231 |
International
Class: |
H04N 005/76 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Apr 26, 2000 |
JP |
2000-126138 |
May 2, 2000 |
JP |
2000-133735 |
May 16, 2000 |
JP |
2000-143623 |
May 16, 2000 |
JP |
2000-143624 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A recording medium having a data file management program
recorded therein, said program comprising: recording processing in
which an information data file is recorded in a recording medium;
attribute data file creation processing in which an attribute data
file having recorded therein attribute information of the
information data file recorded in the recording medium is created;
read processing in which attribute information of an information
data file that has not yet been recorded in the recording medium is
read; decision-making processing in which a decision is made as to
whether or not the attribute information recorded in said attribute
data file matches the attribute information read through said read
processing, a match signal is output when matching and a non-match
signal is output when not-matching; and control processing in which
control is implemented on said recording processing based upon
results of the decision made in said decision-making
processing.
2. A recording medium according to claim 1, wherein in said control
processing, a recording operation through said recording processing
is allowed when said non-match signal is output through said
decision-making processing and a recording operation through said
recording processing is disallowed when said match signal is output
through said decision-making processing.
3. A recording medium according to claim 2, wherein in said
attribute data file creation processing, said attribute information
of the information data file having been recorded through said
recording processing is recorded in said attribute data file when
the recording operation is allowed through said control
processing.
4. A recording medium according to claim 1, wherein said attribute
data file is held over a predetermined length of time.
5. A recording medium according to claim 1, said program further
comprising: specification processing in which at least one type of
attribute information in said attribute information is specified;
and decision-making processing in which a decision is made as to
whether or not the attribute information specified through said
specification processing matches the attribute information read
through said read processing, a match signal is output when
matching and a non-match signal is output when not-matching,
wherein in said control processing, said recording processing is
controlled so as to allow a recording operation through said
recording processing when said match signal is output through said
decision-making processing and disallow a recording operation
through said recording processing when said non-match signal is
output through said decision-making processing.
6. A recording medium having a data file management program
recorded therein, said program comprising: recording processing in
which an information data file is recorded in a recording medium;
read processing in which attribute information of at least two
information data files that have not yet been recorded in the
recording medium is read; decision-making processing in which a
decision is made as to whether or not there is specific continuity
in said information data files based upon the attribute information
read through said read processing; and file management processing
in which said information data files are managed to be grouped
based upon results of said decision made through said
decision-making processing.
7. A recording medium according to claim 6, wherein: in said
decision-making processing, a decision is made as to whether or not
specific continuity manifests with regard to time points at which
the information data files were created; and in said file
management processing, said information data files are managed as
information data files in a single group when said continuity is
determined to manifest through said decision-making processing.
8. A recording medium according to claim 1, wherein said
information data file that has not yet been recorded in the
recording medium is already recorded in an electronic camera or in
a computer apparatus.
9. A data file management apparatus comprising: a recording device
that records an information data file in a recording medium; an
attribute data file creation device that creates an attribute data
file having recorded therein attribute information of the
information data file recorded in the recording medium; a read
device that reads attribute information of an information data file
which has not yet been recorded in the recording medium; a
decision-making circuit that makes a decision as to whether or not
said attribute information recorded in said attribute data file
matches the attribute information read by said read device, outputs
a match signal when matching and outputs a non-match signal when
not-matching; and a control circuit that controls said recording
device based upon results of the decision made by said
decision-making circuit.
10. A data file management apparatus comprising: a recording device
that records an information data file in a recording medium; a read
device that reads attribute information of at least two information
data files which have not yet been recorded in the recording
medium; a decision-making circuit that makes a decision as to
whether or not specific continuity manifests in the information
data files based upon the attribute information read by said read
device; and a file management circuit that implements grouping
management on the information data files based upon results of the
decision made by said decision-making circuit.
11. A method for transmitting image data from an electronic camera
to a computer apparatus, comprising: preparing attribute
information of the image data, by the electronic camera; receiving
the attribute information of the image data, comparing the
attribute information thus received with attribute information
recorded in an attribute data file in a recording device of the
computer apparatus, and issuing a request for the image data to the
electronic camera only when the attribute information of the image
data does not completely match the attribute information recorded
in said attribute data file, by the computer apparatus; preparing
the image data upon receiving the request for the image data, by
the electronic camera; and receiving the image data to record in
the recording device and updating said attribute data file by
recording the attribute information of the image data after image
data have been recorded, by the computer apparatus.
12. A method for transmitting data from a first electronic
apparatus having data to a second electronic apparatus that records
data in a recording medium, comprising: receiving attribute
information of the data from the first electronic apparatus, and
comparing the attribute information with attribute information
recorded in an attribute data file in the recording medium, by the
second electronic apparatus; receiving the data from said first
electronic apparatus and recording the data in the recording medium
only when the attribute information of the data does not completely
match the attribute information recorded in said attribute data
file, by the second electronic apparatus; and updating said
attribute data file by recording the attribute information of the
data after the data have been recorded, by the second electronic
apparatus.
13. A recording medium having a data file management program
recorded therein, said program comprising: recording processing in
which an information data file is recorded in a recording medium;
identification file recording processing in which an identification
data file containing information provided related to the
information data file recorded through said recording processing is
created and recorded in the recording medium; identification file
read processing in which said identification data file is read from
the recording medium; identification processing in which the
information data file is identified by using said identification
data file read through said specification file read processing; and
identification file delete processing in which said identification
data file recorded in the recording medium is deleted.
14. A recording medium according to claim 13, wherein said
identification file recording processing is implemented immediately
after said recording processing is completed and said
identification file delete processing is implemented immediately
after said identification processing is completed.
15. A recording medium having a data file management program
recorded therein, said program comprising: identification file
recording processing in which an identification data file
containing information provided related to an information data file
to be deleted from the recording medium is created and recorded in
the recording medium; delete processing in which the information
data file is deleted from the recording medium; identification file
read processing in which said identification data file is read from
the recording medium; identification processing in which the
information data file is identified by using said identification
data file read through said identification file read processing;
and identification file delete processing in which said
identification data file recorded in the recording medium is
deleted.
16. A recording medium according to claim 15, wherein said
identification file recording processing is implemented before said
delete processing starts and said identification file delete
processing is implemented immediately after said identification
processing is completed.
17. A data file management apparatus comprising; a recording device
that records an information data file in a recording medium; an
identification file recording device that creates an identification
data file containing information provided related to the
information data file recorded by said recording device and records
said identification data file in the recording medium; an
identification file read device that reads said identification data
file from the recording medium; an identification circuit that
identifies the information data file by using said identification
data file read by said identification file read device; and an
identification file delete device that deletes said identification
data file recorded in the recording medium.
18. A data file management apparatus comprising: an identification
file recording device that creates an identification data file
containing information provided related to an information data file
to be deleted from a recording medium and records the
identification data file in the recording medium; a delete device
that deletes the information data file from the recording medium;
an identification file read device that reads said identification
data file from the recording medium; an identification circuit that
identifies the information data file by using said identification
data file read by said identification file read device; and an
identification file delete device that deletes said identification
data file recorded in the recording medium.
19. An image capturing system comprising: an image capturing device
that captures an image of a subject and outputs the captured image
as image data; a first recording device that records the image data
in a first recording medium; a second recording device that records
the image data in a second recording medium other than the first
recording medium; a first control circuit that controls said first
recording device so as to allow said first recording device to
perform a recording operation with timing with which an image
capturing operation is performed by said image capturing device;
and a second control circuit that controls said second recording
device so as to allow said second recording device to perform a
recording operation with timing with which an image capturing
operation is performed by said image capturing device.
20. An image capturing system according to claim 19, further
comprising: a decision-making circuit that makes a decision as to
whether or not said second recording device is capable of
performing a recording operation, wherein said second control
circuit halts the recording operation by said second recording
device after a negative decision is made by said decision-making
circuit.
21. An image capturing system according to claim 20, wherein said
second control circuit starts the recording operation by said
second recording device when an affirmative decision is made by
said decision-making circuit while the recording operation by said
second recording device is suspended.
22. An image capturing system according to claim 21, further
comprising: a read device that reads image data recorded in the
first recording medium while the recording operation by said second
recording device is suspended, wherein said second control circuit
controls said second recording device so that the image data read
by said read device are recorded in the second recording medium
only after an affirmative decision is made by said decision-making
circuit.
23. An image capturing system according to claim 19, further
comprising: a decision-making circuit that makes a decision as to
whether or not said first recording device is capable of performing
a recording operation, wherein said first control circuit halts the
recording operation by said first recording device after a negative
decision is made by said decision-making circuit.
24. An image capturing system according to claim 23, wherein said
first control circuit starts the recording operation by said first
recording device when an affirmative decision is made by said
decision-making circuit while the recording operation by said first
recording device is suspended.
25. An image capturing system according to claim 24, further
comprising: a read device that reads image data recorded in the
second recording medium while the recording operation by said first
recording device is suspended, wherein said first control circuit
controls said first recording device so that the image data read by
said read device are recorded in the first recording medium only
after an affirmative decision is made by said decision-making
circuit.
26. An image capturing system comprising: an image capturing device
that captures an image of a subject and outputs the captured image
as image data; a first recording device that records the image data
in a first recording medium; a second recording device that records
the image data in a second recording medium other than the first
recording medium; a control circuit that stops a recording
operation performed by said second recording device and records the
image data into the first recording medium by engaging said first
recording device with timing with which an image capturing
operation is performed by said image capturing device; and a
decision-making circuit that makes a decision as to whether or not
said first recording device is capable of performing a recording
operation, wherein said control circuit halts the recording
operation by said first recording device and starts the recording
operation by said second recording device with the timing with
which an image capturing operation is performed by said image
capturing device after a negative decision is made by said
decision-making circuit.
27. An image capturing system according to claim 26, wherein while
the recording operation by said first record device is suspended,
said control circuit starts the recording operation by said first
recording device and halts the recording operation by said second
recording device after an affirmative decision is made by said
decision-making circuit.
28. An image capturing system according to claim 26, further
comprising: a read device that reads image data recorded in the
first recording medium while the recording operation by said second
recording device is suspended, wherein said control circuit
controls said first recording device so that the image data read by
said read device are recorded in the first recording medium only
after an affirmative decision is made by said decision-making
circuit.
29. An image capturing system comprising: an image capturing device
that captures an image of a subject and outputs the captured image
as image data; a first recording device that records the image data
in a first recording medium; a second recording device that records
the image data in a second recording medium other than the first
recording medium; a control circuit that stops a recording
operation performed by said first recording device and records the
image data into the second recording medium by engaging said second
recording device with timing with which an image capturing
operation is performed by said image capturing device; and a
decision-making circuit that makes a decision as to whether or not
said second recording device is capable of performing a recording
operation, wherein said control circuit halts the recording
operation by said second recording device and starts the recording
operation by said first recording device with the timing with which
an image capturing operation is performed by said image capturing
device after a negative decision is made by said decision-making
circuit.
30. An image capturing system according to claim 29, wherein while
the recording operation by said second recording device is
suspended, said control circuit starts the recording operation by
said second recording device and halts the recording operation by
said first recording device after an affirmative decision is made
by said decision-making circuit.
31. An image capturing system according to claim 30, further
comprising: a read device that reads image data recorded in the
first recording medium while the recording operation by said second
recording device is suspended, wherein said control circuit
controls said second recording device so that the image data read
by said read device are recorded in the second recording medium
only after an affirmative decision is made by said decision-making
circuit.
32. An image capturing system according to claim 29, wherein: said
image capturing device is provided at a camera; and the first
recording medium is detachably loaded in the camera.
33. An image capturing system according to claim 32, wherein the
second recording medium is provided at a computer apparatus that
engages in transfer of image data with the camera.
34. An image data handling apparatus, comprising: a first data
input circuit to which image data are input from an external
apparatus internally provided with a first recording medium; a
second data input circuit to which image data are input from a
second recording medium other than the first recording medium; and
a control circuit that controls said first data input circuit and
said second data input circuit so as to give the image data input
through said second data input circuit priority for reception when
image data are input through said first data input circuit and
through said second data input circuit.
35. An image data handling apparatus according to claim 34,
wherein: said external apparatus having the first recording medium
is a camera; and the second recording medium is a recording medium
that can be loaded in the camera.
36. An image data handling apparatus according to claim 35, wherein
said image data is still image data, the image data handling
apparatus further comprising: a first detection circuit that
detects whether or not image data have been input through said
first data input circuit; and a second detection circuit that
detects whether or not image data have been input through said
second data input circuit, wherein said control circuit controls
said first data input circuit and said second data input circuit so
that; (1) when an input is detected by said first detection circuit
ahead of said second detection circuit, a detection is made by said
second detection circuit as to whether or not image data have been
input immediately after image data corresponding to one frame have
been received from said first data input circuit, and then if an
input is detected by said second detection circuit, image data for
all frames are received from said second data input circuit; and
(2) when an input is detected by said second detection circuit
ahead of said first detection circuit, the image data for all the
frames are received from said second data input circuit.
37. An image data handling apparatus comprising: a first data input
circuit to which still image data are input from an external
apparatus internally provided with a first recording medium; a
second data input circuit to which still image data are input from
a second recording medium other than the first recording medium; a
first detection circuit that detects whether or not still image
data have been input through said first data input circuit; a
second detection circuit that detects whether not still image data
have been input through said second data input circuit; and a
control circuit that controls said first detection circuit and said
second detection circuit to engage said second detection circuit to
detect whether or not an input has been made each time an input of
still image data for one frame is completed through said first data
input circuit, and to engage said first detection circuit to detect
whether or not an input has been made when an input of still image
data for all frames recorded in the second recording medium is
completed through said second data input circuit, in case that
still image data are input through both said first data input
circuit and said second data input circuit.
Description
INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE
[0001] The disclosures of the following priority applications are
herein incorporated by reference:
[0002] Japanese Patent Application No. 2000-126138 filed Apr. 26,
2000
[0003] Japanese Patent Application No. 2000-133735 filed May 2,
2000
[0004] Japanese Patent Application No. 2000-143623 filed May 16,
2000
[0005] Japanese Patent Application No. 2000-143624 filed May 16,
2000
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0006] 1. Field of the Invention
[0007] The present invention relates to a recording medium having
stored therein a data file management program, an apparatus for
data file management, a handling apparatus for image data and an
image capturing system.
[0008] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0009] Image data recorded in a recording medium such as a CF
(compact flash) card in an electronic camera, for instance. are
transmitted to a personal computer or the like where a specific
application program is executed and are written into a data
recording device at the personal computer. Then, by executing the
specific application program on the personal computer, the image
data having been written in the data recording device are read out.
The image data thus read out are displayed on a display device
which may be a display unit connected to the personal computer or
printed out on an output device connected to the personal
computer.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0010] An object of the present invention is to provide a recording
medium for data file management that is utilized to record image
data obtained by capturing images in an electronic camera into a
data recording device, an apparatus for data file management, a
handling apparatus for image data and an image capturing
system.
[0011] In order to achieve the object described above, a recording
medium according to the present invention has a data file
management program recorded therein, and the program comprises:
recording processing in which an information data file is recorded
in a recording medium; attribute data file creation processing in
which an attribute data file having recorded therein attribute
information of the information data file recorded in the recording
medium is created; read processing in which attribute information
of an information data file that has not yet been recorded in the
recording medium is read; decision-making processing in which a
decision is made as to whether or not the attribute information
recorded in the attribute data file matches the attribute
information read through the read processing, a match signal is
output when matching and a non-match signal is output when
not-matching; and control processing in which control is
implemented on the recording processing based upon results of the
decision made in the decision-making processing.
[0012] In the control processing, a recording operation through the
recording processing may be allowed when the non-match signal is
output through the decision-making processing and a recording
operation through the recording processing may be disallowed when
the match signal is output through the decision-making
processing.
[0013] In the attribute data file creation processing, the
attribute information of the information data file having been
recorded through the recording processing may be recorded in the
attribute data file when the recording operation is allowed through
the control processing.
[0014] The attribute data file may be held over a predetermined
length of time.
[0015] The program recorded in the above recording medium may
further comprise: specification processing in which at least one
type of attribute information in the attribute information is
specified; and decision making processing in which a decision is
made as to whether or not the attribute information specified
through the specification processing matches the attribute
information read through the read processing, a match signal is
output when matching and a non-match signal is output when
not-matching, and in the control processing, the recording
processing may be controlled so as to allow a recording operation
through the recording processing when the match signal is output
through the decision-making processing and disallow a recording
operation through the recording processing when the non-match
signal is output through the decision-making processing.
[0016] A recording medium according to the present invention has a
data file management program recorded therein, and the program
comprises: recording processing in which an information data file
is recorded in a recording medium; read processing in which
attribute information of at least two information data files that
have not yet been recorded in the recording medium is read;
decision-making processing in which a decision is made as to
whether or not there is specific continuity in the information data
files based upon the attribute information read through the read
processing; and file management processing in which the information
data files are managed to be grouped based upon results of the
decision made through the decision-making processing.
[0017] In the decision-making processing, a decision may be made as
to whether or not specific continuity manifests with regard to time
points at which the information data files were created; and in the
file management processing, the information data files may be
managed as information data files in a single group when the
continuity is determined to manifest through the decision-making
processing.
[0018] The information data file that has not yet been recorded in
the recording medium may be already recorded in an electronic
camera or in a computer apparatus.
[0019] A data file management apparatus according to the present
invention comprises: a recording device that records an information
data file in a recording medium; an attribute data file creation
device that creates an attribute data file having recorded therein
attribute information of the information data file recorded in the
recording medium; a read device that reads attribute information of
an information data file which has not yet been recorded in the
recording medium; a decision-making circuit that makes a decision
as to whether or not the attribute information recorded in the
attribute data file matches the attribute information read by the
read device, outputs a match signal when matching and outputs a
non-match signal when not-matching; and a control circuit that
controls the recording device based upon results of the decision
made by the decision-making circuit.
[0020] A data file management apparatus according to the present
invention comprises: a recording device that records an information
data file in a recording medium; a read device that reads attribute
information of at least two information data files which have not
yet been recorded in the recording medium; a decision-making
circuit that makes a decision as to whether or not specific
continuity manifests in the information data files based upon the
attribute information read by the read device; and a file
management circuit that implements grouping management on the
information data files based upon results of the decision made by
the decision-making circuit.
[0021] A method according to the present invention for transmitting
image data from an electronic camera to a computer apparatus,
comprises: preparing attribute information of the image data, by
the electronic camera; receiving the attribute information of the
image data, comparing the attribute information thus received with
attribute information recorded in an attribute data file in a
recording device of the computer apparatus, and issuing a request
for the image data to the electronic camera only when the attribute
information of the image data does not completely match the
attribute information recorded in the attribute data file, by the
computer apparatus; preparing the image data upon receiving the
request for the image data, by the electronic camera; and receiving
the image data to record in the recording device and updating the
attribute data file by recording the attribute information of the
image data after image data have been recorded, by the computer
apparatus.
[0022] A method according to the present invention for transmitting
data from a first electronic apparatus having data to a second
electronic apparatus that records data in a recording medium,
comprises: receiving attribute information of the data from the
first electronic apparatus, and comparing the attribute information
with attribute information recorded in an attribute data file in
the recording medium, by the second electronic apparatus; receiving
the data from the first electronic apparatus and recording the data
in the recording medium only when the attribute information of the
data does not completely match the attribute information recorded
in the attribute data file, by the second electronic apparatus; and
updating the attribute data file by recording the attribute
information of the data after the data have been recorded, by the
second electronic apparatus.
[0023] A recording medium according to the present invention has a
data file management program recorded therein, and the program
comprises: recording processing in which an information data file
is recorded in a recording medium; identification file recording
processing in which an identification data file containing
information provided related to the information data file recorded
through the recording processing is created and recorded in the
recording medium: identification file read processing in which the
identification data file is read from the recording medium;
identification processing in which the information data file is
identified by using the identification data file read through the
specification file read processing; and identification file delete
processing in which the identification data file recorded in the
recording medium is deleted.
[0024] The identification file recording processing may be
implemented immediately after the recording processing is completed
and the identification file delete processing may be implemented
immediately after the identification processing is completed.
[0025] A recording medium according to the present invention has a
data file management program recorded therein, and the program
comprises: identification file recording processing in which an
identification data file containing information provided related to
an information data file to be deleted from the recording medium is
created and recorded in the recording medium; delete processing in
which the information data file is deleted from the recording
medium; identification file read processing in which the.
identification data file is read from the recording medium;
identification processing in which the information data file is
identified by using the identification data file read through the
identification file read processing: and identification file delete
processing in which the identification data file recorded in the
recording medium is deleted.
[0026] The identification file recording processing may be
implemented before the delete processing starts and the
identification file delete processing may be implemented
immediately after the identification processing is completed.
[0027] A data file management apparatus according to the present
invention comprises: a recording device that records an information
data file in a recording medium; an identification file recording
device that creates an identification data file containing
information provided related to the information data file recorded
by the recording device and records the identification data file in
the recording medium; an identification file read device that reads
the identification data file from the recording medium; an
identification circuit that identifies the information data file by
using the identification data file read by the identification file
read device; and an identification file delete device that deletes
the identification data file recorded in the recording medium.
[0028] A data file management apparatus according to the present
invention comprises: an identification file recording device that
creates an identification data file containing information provided
related to an information data file to be deleted from a recording
medium and records the identification data file in the recording
medium; a delete device that deletes the information data file from
the recording medium; an identification file read device that reads
the identification data file from the recording medium; an
identification circuit that identifies the information data file by
using the identification data file read by the identification file
read device; and an identification file delete device that deletes
the identification data file recorded in the recording medium.
[0029] An image capturing system according to the present invention
comprises: an image capturing device that captures an image of a
subject and outputs the captured image as image data; a first
recording device that records the image data in a first recording
medium; a second recording device that records the image data in a
second recording medium other than the first recording medium; a
first control circuit that controls the first recording device so
as to allow the first recording device to perform a recording
operation with timing with which an image capturing operation is
performed by the image capturing device; and a second control
circuit that controls the second recording device so as to allow
the second recording device to perform a recording operation with
timing with which an image capturing operation is performed by the
image capturing device.
[0030] The above image capturing system may further comprise: a
decision-making circuit that makes a decision as to whether or not
the second recording device is capable of performing a recording
operation, and the second control circuit may halt the recording
operation by the second recording device after a negative decision
is made by the decision-making circuit.
[0031] The second control circuit may start the recording operation
by the second recording device when an affirmative decision is made
by the decision-making circuit while the recording operation by the
second recording device is suspended.
[0032] The above image capturing system may further comprise: a
read device that reads image data recorded in the first recording
medium while the recording operation by the second recording device
is suspended, and the second control circuit may control the second
recording device so that the image data read by the read device are
recorded in the second recording medium only after an affirmative
decision is made by the decision-making circuit.
[0033] The above image capturing system may further comprise:
[0034] a decision-making circuit that makes a decision as to
whether or not the first recording device is capable of performing
a recording operation, and the first control circuit may halt the
recording operation by the first recording device after a negative
decision is made by the decision-making circuit.
[0035] The first control circuit may start the recording operation
by the first recording device when an affirmative decision is made
by the decision-making circuit while the recording operation by the
first recording device is suspended.
[0036] The above image capturing system may further comprise: a
read device that reads image data recorded in the second recording
medium while the recording operation by the first recording device
is suspended, and the first control circuit may control the first
recording device so that the image data read by the read device are
recorded in the first recording medium only after an affirmative
decision is made by the decision-making circuit.
[0037] An image capturing system according to the present invention
comprises: an image capturing device that captures an image of a
subject and outputs the captured image as image data; a first
recording device that records the image data in a first recording
medium; a second recording device that records the image data in a
second recording medium other than the first recording medium; a
control circuit that stops a recording operation performed by the
second recording device and records the image data into the first
recording medium by engaging the first recording device with timing
with which an image capturing operation is performed by the image
capturing device; and a decision-making circuit that makes a
decision as to whether or not the first recording device is capable
of performing a recording operation, wherein the control circuit
halts the recording operation by the first recording device and
starts the recording operation by the second recording device with
the timing with which an image capturing operation is performed by
the image capturing device after a negative decision is made by the
decision-making circuit.
[0038] While the recording operation by the first record device is
suspended, the control circuit may start the recording operation by
the first recording device and halt the recording operation by the
second recording device after an affirmative decision is made by
the decision-making circuit.
[0039] The above image capturing system may further comprise: a
read device that reads image data recorded in the first recording
medium while the recording operation by the second recording device
is suspended, and the control circuit may control the first
recording device so that the image data read by the read device are
recorded in the first recording medium only after an affirmative
decision is made by the decision-making circuit.
[0040] An image capturing system according to the present invention
comprises: an image capturing device that captures an image of a
subject and outputs the captured image as image data: a first
recording device that records the image data in a first recording
medium; a second recording device that records the image data in a
second recording medium other than the first recording medium; a
control circuit that stops a recording operation performed by the
first recording device and records the image data into the second
recording medium by engaging the second recording device with
timing with which an image capturing operation is performed by the
image capturing device; and a decision-making circuit that makes a
decision as to whether or not the second recording device is
capable of performing a recording operation, wherein the control
circuit halts the recording operation by the second recording
device and starts the recording operation by the first recording
device with the timing with which an image capturing operation is
performed by the image capturing device after a negative decision
is made by the decision-making circuit.
[0041] While the recording operation by the second recording device
is suspended, the control circuit may start the recording operation
by the second recording device and halt the recording operation by
the first recording device after an affirmative decision is made by
the decision-making circuit.
[0042] The above image capturing system may further comprise: a
read device that reads image data recorded in the first recording
medium while the recording operation by the second recording device
is suspended, and the control circuit may control the second
recording device so that the image data read by the read device are
recorded in the second recording medium only after an affirmative
decision is made by the decision-making circuit.
[0043] The image capturing device may be provided at a camera; and
the first recording medium may be detachably loaded in the
camera.
[0044] The second recording medium may be provided at a computer
apparatus that engages in transfer of image data with the
camera.
[0045] An image data handling apparatus according to the present
invention, comprises: a first data input circuit to which image
data are input from an external apparatus internally provided with
a first recording medium; a second data input circuit to which
image data are input from a second recording medium other than the
first recording medium; and a control circuit that controls the
first data input circuit and the second data input circuit so as to
give the image data input through the second data input circuit
priority for reception when image data are input through the first
data input circuit and through the second data input circuit.
[0046] The external apparatus having the first recording medium may
be a camera; and the second recording medium may be a recording
medium that can be loaded in the camera.
[0047] The image data may be still image data, and the above image
data handling apparatus may further comprise: a first detection
circuit that detects whether or not image data have been input
through the first data input circuit; and a second detection
circuit that detects whether or not image data have been input
through the second data input circuit, and the control circuit may
control the first data input circuit and the second data input
circuit so that: (1) when an input is detected by the first
detection circuit ahead of the second detection circuit, a
detection is made by the second detection circuit as to whether or
not image data have been input immediately after image data
corresponding to one frame have been received from the first data
input circuit, and then if an input is detected by the second
detection circuit, image data for all frames are received from the
second data input circuit; and (2) when an input is detected by the
second detection circuit ahead of the first detection circuit, the
image data for all the frames are received from the second data
input circuit.
[0048] An image data handling apparatus according to the present
invention comprises: a first data input circuit to which still
image data are input from an external apparatus internally provided
with a first recording medium; a second data input circuit to which
still image data are input from a second recording medium other
than the first recording medium; a first detection circuit that
detects whether or not still image data have been input through the
first data input circuit; a second detection circuit that detects
whether not still image data have been input through the second
data input circuit; and a control circuit that controls the first
detection circuit and the second detection circuit to engage the
second detection circuit to detect whether or not an input has been
made each time an input of still image data for one frame is
completed through the first data input circuit, and to engage the
first detection circuit to detect whether or not an input has been
made when an input of still image data for all frames recorded in
the second recording medium is completed through the second data
input circuit, in case that still image data are input through both
the first data input circuit and the second data input circuit.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0049] FIG. 1 schematically illustrates the display device employed
to display an image data file in a first embodiment;
[0050] FIG. 2 shows the names assigned to the data provided when
recording image data into a CF card in an electronic still
camera;
[0051] FIG. 3 is provided to facilitate an explanation of the
sub-directories;
[0052] FIG. 4 is provided to facilitate an explanation of the file
names;
[0053] FIG. 5A shows image data files recorded in the CF card;
[0054] FIG. 5B shows the in-taken data management table recorded in
the recording device of the personal computer;
[0055] FIG. 6 is a flowchart of the processing implemented to take
an image data file into the recording device of the personal
computer from the electronic still camera;
[0056] FIG. 7 illustrates the flow of the image data file intake
processing implemented in the image data file display of apparatus
in the first embodiment;
[0057] FIG. 8 presents an example of display at the display device
in which images corresponding to image data files A1-A4 recorded in
a optional folder are displayed;
[0058] FIG. 9 illustrates the flow of the image delete
processing;
[0059] FIG. 10 presents an example of display at the display device
in which images corresponding to image data files A1-A3 recorded at
arbitrary folders are displayed;
[0060] FIG. 11 presents attribute data indicating file names and
dates;
[0061] FIG. 12 is a flowchart of the intake processing in which an
image data file is taken in at the image data file display device
achieved in a second embodiment;
[0062] FIG. 13 shows an intake specification defining table;
[0063] FIG. 14 is a flowchart of the intake processing in which an
image data file is taken in at the image data file display device
in a third embodiment;
[0064] FIG. 15 is a flowchart of the processing implemented by the
MPU of the electronic still camera in the image capturing system
achieved in a fourth embodiment;
[0065] FIG. 16 is a flowchart of the processing implemented by the
MPU of the personal computer in the image capturing system achieved
in the fourth embodiment;
[0066] PIG. 17 is a flowchart of the first half of the processing
implemented by the MPU of the electronic still camera in the image
capturing system achieved in a fifth embodiment;
[0067] FIG. 18 is a flowchart of the second half of the processing
implemented by the MPU of the electronic still camera in the image
capturing system achieved in the fifth embodiment;
[0068] FIG. 19 is a flowchart of the processing implemented by the
MPU of the personal computer in the image capturing system achieved
in the fifth embodiment;
[0069] FIG. 20 schematically illustrates the image data handling
apparatus achieved in a sixth embodiment;
[0070] FIG. 21 is a flowchart of the processing implemented by the
MPU of the electronic still camera;
[0071] FIG. 22 is a flowchart of the processing implemented by the
MPU of the personal computer in the image data handling
apparatus;
[0072] FIG. 23 is a flowchart of the processing implemented by the
MPU by adopting another method;
[0073] FIG. 24A is a flowchart of the main processing implemented
by the MPU by adopting another method; and
[0074] FIG. 24B is a flowchart of the interrupt processing
implemented by the MPU by adopting the other method.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
First Embodiment
[0075] FIG. 1 schematically illustrates the display device employed
to display image data files, which is provided with the data file
management apparatus achieved in the first embodiment of the
present invention. In FIG. 1, the image data file display device is
achieved by connecting an electronic still camera 1 and a personal
computer (PC) 2 through an IEEE-1394 cable 3. The electronic still
camera 1 comprises an MPU 11, a CF card 12, an interface circuit 13
and an image capturing element 14. The electronic still camera 1
records image data obtained through an image capturing operation
performed at the image capturing element 14 into the CF card 12 in
a specific format. In addition, the electronic still camera 1
transfers the image data obtained through a photographing operation
to the personal computer 2 via the interface circuit 13 and the
IEEE-1394 cable 3. A transfer buffer memory 131 is provided at the
interface circuit 13. The operation of the electronic still camera
1 is controlled by the MPU 11.
[0076] The personal computer 2 comprises an MPU 21, a recording
device 22, an interface circuit 23, a display circuit 24 and a
display device 25. The image data transferred from the electronic
still camera 1 are taken into the personal computer 2 via the
IEEE-1394 cable 3 and the interface circuit 23. The interface
circuit 23 is provided with a transfer buffer memory 231. The image
data taken into the personal computer 2 are recorded in a specific
recording area in the recording device 22. The image data recorded
in the recording device 22 are read out from the recording device
22 and converted to an image signal at the display circuit 24 and
the resulting image signal is displayed at the display device 25
connected to the personal computer 2 via an image signal cable 26.
The operation of the personal computer 2 is controlled by the MPU
21.
[0077] The image data having been taken into the-personal computer
2 from the electronic still camera 1 are displayed at the display
device 25 and, in addition, they are printed out at an output
device (not shown) connected to the personal computer 2 or
transmitted to another computer apparatus (not shown) which is
capable of data exchange with the personal computer 2.
[0078] Image Data File Names
[0079] The recording areas in the recording device 22 are each made
to correspond to the file name assigned to a given set of image
data, and image data assigned with individual file names are
recorded in the corresponding recording areas in the recording
device 22.
[0080] The format in which the image data obtained by performing a
photographing operation in the electronic still camera 1 and
recorded in the CF card 12 is predetermined to match the format of
the data managed in the personal computer so that the image data
can be processed in the personal computer 2 and recorded images can
be output to a display device or an output device (not shown). FIG.
2 is provided to facilitate an explanation of a data name assigned
to image data obtained through a photographing operation performed
in the electronic still camera 1 when they are recorded in the
recording medium such as the CF card 12. In FIG. 2, a directory 110
"DCIM" is assigned under a root directory 100 in image data names
in conformance to the DCF (Design Rules For Camera File
Systems).
[0081] The so-called directory tree presented in FIG. 2 shows the
structure of data files which are managed by, for instance, the
personal computer 2. An explanation is given with regard to an
image data name 120 provided under the directory 110. As shown in
FIG. 2, the image data name 120 is constituted of a sub-directory
130 to which a plurality of names may be assigned and a file name
140 to which a plurality of names may be assigned provided under
each sub-directory 130. This structure matches the DOS structure
used in a system such as the personal computer 2 that handles the
recording device. It is to be noted that in some personal computer
basic programs (OS), directories are referred to as folders.
[0082] FIG. 3 is provided to facilitate an explanation of a
sub-directory 130. The sub-directory 130 may be constituted of a
numerical value portion 131 and a name portion 132. The numerical
value portion 131 is constituted of a three-digit integer, whereas
the name portion 132 is constituted of up to five alphanumeric
characters or symbols. Different name portions 132 may be provided
in the individual subdirectories 130, or a single name portion 130
may be used in different sub-directories 130. Even when the same
name portion 132 is used, the sub-directories 130 can be
distinguished from each other by assigning different integers in
the numerical value portions 131 of the sub-directories 130.
[0083] FIG. 4 is provided to facilitate an explanation of a file
name 140. The file name 140 may be constituted of, for instance, a
header portion 141, a numerical value portion 142 and an extension
143. Four alphabetic characters are assigned in the header portion
141. "DSCN" in FIG. 4 indicates that the data assigned with a file
name 140 are image data having been recorded in the electronic
still camera 1. A four-digit integer is assigned in the numerical
value portion 142. The extension 143, i.e., "JPG", indicates that
the image data assigned with the file name 140 are image data
having been compressed in the JPG format. As explained above, by
assigning a name constituted of the sub-directory 130 and the file
name 140 to a set of image data having been recorded in the
electronic still camera 1, the image data are readied to undergo
processing in the personal computer 2.
[0084] Prevention of Duplicate File Intake
[0085] Next, an in-taken data management table is explained. The
in-taken data management table is a management table provided to
record in the recording device 22 four management items together,
i.e., the folder name, the file name, the date on which the image
data were obtained through a photographing operation and the file
size of the image data with regard to each of the image data files
recorded in the recording device 22. This management table is used
to ensure that when electronic image data are transmitted from the
electronic still camera to the personal computer 2 connected as
shown in FIG. 1, image data which have already been recorded in the
recording device 22 are not transmitted again. FIG. 5A shows image
data files 600 recorded in the CF card 12 and FIG. 5B illustrates
the in-taken data management table 601.
[0086] In FIG. 5A, sets of image data obtained by performing a
photographing operation in the electronic still camera 1 are
recorded in the CF card 12 with individual file names attached
thereto as explained earlier. Three files having file names 140,
i.e., "DSCN0001.JPG"--"DSCN00- 03.JPG" are recorded in a folder
with its sub-directory 130 assigned as "100NIKON". In addition,
four files having file names 140, i.e.,
"DSCN0001.JPG"--"DSCN0004.JPG", are recorded in a folder with its
sub-directory 130 assigned as "101NIKON". Let us now assume that
the "DSCN0004.JPG" file in the "101NIKON" folder is to be provided
to the personal computer 2 as a new file.
[0087] In FIG. 5B, the four management items explained above are
recorded in correspondence to each file in the in-taken data
management table 601. The management items managed by the in-taken
data management table 601 are defined by an in-taken data
management defining table 602. Namely, the data in the attribute
data of each image data file recorded in the recording device 22,
which correspond to the management items defined in the in-taken
data management defining table 602, are prepared as table data and
are recorded in the recording device 22 as the in-taken data
management table 601. The attribute data include a plurality of
types of information recorded in the CF card 12 as information
indicating the intrinsic attributes of an image data file when
image data are recorded as the image data file in the CF card 12 in
the electronic still camera 1. They include photographing
information such as the photographer's ID and the photographing
conditions and a protector for preventing the file from being
erased by mistake as well as the data corresponding to the four
management items explained earlier.
[0088] The in-taken data management table 601 is updated each time
a new image data file is recorded in the recording device 22. For
instance, when the image data file with the file name
"DSCN0004.JPG" in the folder having its sub-directory 130 assigned
as "101NIKON" is recorded in the recording device 22, the data
indicating the management items with regard to this image data file
are added to the in-taken data management table 601.
[0089] The management items are selected as appropriate so as to
enable identification of the individual data files from the
plurality of types of attribute data mentioned above. Thus, simply
by checking the management item data recorded in the in-taken data
management table 601 that are part of the attribute data of an
image data file, a decision can be made as to whether or not the
corresponding image data should be recorded in the recording device
22 without having to check the entire contents of the image data
file. In other words, a decision can be made simply by checking the
management item data alone as to whether or not the image data file
in question represents image data that have already been recorded
in the recording device 22.
[0090] The processing implemented to take an image data file into
the personal computer 2 in the image data file display apparatus
described above is now explained in reference to the flowchart of
the processing procedure in FIG. 6. In FIG. 6, the processing
starts when the electronic still camera 1 and the personal computer
2 become connected with each other via the IEEE-1394 cable 3 after
a specific image data file intake program is started up on the
personal computer 2. In step S61, the MPU 21 of the personal
computer 2 issues are quest to the electronic still camera 1 to
transmit the attribute data alone to the personal computer 2. In
response to the request for the attribute data, the MPU 11 of the
electronic still camera 1 transmits the attribute data of the
target file in the CF card 12 to the personal computer 2. When step
S61 is implemented for the first time after starting the processing
in FIG. 6, only the attribute data of the first image data file in
the CF card 12, i.e., the image data file assigned with the file
name "DSCN0001.JPG", in the folder assigned with the folder name
"100NIKON" are transmitted to the personal computer 2. In step S62,
the MPU 21 of the personal computer 2 reads out data in the
in-taken data management table 601 from the recording device 22 and
then the operation proceeds to step S63.
[0091] In step S63, the MPU 21 makes a decision as to whether or
not the data in the in-taken data management table 601 that have
been read out from the recording device 22 match the attribute data
of the target file taken in from the electronic still camera 1. If
it is decided that they match (if an affirmative decision is made
in step S63), the operation proceeds to step S66, and in this case,
no request is issued to the electronic still camera 1 to send the
image data file to the personal computer 2. If, on the other hand,
it is decided that they do not match (if a negative decision is
made in step S63), the operation proceeds to step S64. In step S64,
the MPU 21 issues a request to the electronic still camera 1 to
transmit the image data file, the attribute data of which were
taken in step S61, to the personal computer 2. In response to the
request for the image data file, the MPU 11 of the electronic still
camera 1 provides the corresponding image data file in the CF card
12 to the personal computer 2. The MPU 21 of the personal computer
2 records the image data file thus taken in a specific recording
area of the recording device 22 and then the operation proceeds to
step S65.
[0092] In step S65, the MPU 21 records the management item data in
the attribute data of the image data file recorded in the recording
device 22 by adding the management item data to the in-taken data
management table 601 at the recording device 22, and then the
operation proceeds to step S66. In step S66, the MPU 11 makes a
decision as to whether or not the processing has been completed for
all the image data files recorded in the CF card 12. If it is
decided that the processing has been completed (if an affirmative
decision is made in step S66), an end flag is sent to the personal
computer 2 and the processing in FIG. 6 ends. If, on the other
hand, it is decided that the processing has not been completed (if
a negative decision is made in step S66), the operation proceeds to
step S67.
[0093] In step S67, the MPU 11 advances by one to the next target
file, the attribute data of which are to be taken in from the CF
card 12, before the operation returns to step S61.
[0094] Identifying File Undergoing Intake/Delete Processing
[0095] In the personal computer 2 in FIG. 1 explained above, an
application program having an image file processing module and an
image display processing module is executed. The image file
processing module is a program module that receives an image data
file recorded in the CF card 12 of the electronic still camera 1 at
the personal computer 2 and records the image data file thus
received in a specific area of the recording device 22 of the
personal computer 2. The image display processing module is a
program module that reads an image data file recorded in a specific
area of the recording device 22 and displays a reproduced image
corresponding to the image data on the display device 25 connected
to the personal computer 2. These program modules engage in
parallel processing when the application program is executed. Thus,
the processing implemented by the image file processing module to
record an image data file in a specific area of the recording
device 22 and the processing implemented by the image display
processing module to read an image data file from a specific area
of the recording device 22 and display the image data file thus
read out are executed asynchronously, and since a certain length of
time must be allowed for the new file identification processing
when a new image data file is added into the recording device 22,
the image corresponding to the new image data file cannot be
brought up on display at the display device 25 promptly.
[0096] The recording area of the recording device 22 is divided
into a plurality of folders to facilitate the image data file
management as explained earlier. The folders, which are also
referred to as directories, indicate the locations at which the
individual data files are recorded in the recording area of the
recording device 22. Image data files are classified into groups
each corresponding to a given photographer, for instance, and the
image data files having been classified in this manner are recorded
within folders assigned with the names of individual photographers.
In the image data file display device in the first embodiment,
folders in which image data files are recorded and a specific
folder, which is different from the folders for recording the image
data files. are provided in the recording device 22, and a
management file is created inside the specific folder to manage the
addition of an image data file into the recording device 22 or
deletion of an image data file recorded in the recording device
22.
[0097] Identifying Image Data File being taken in
[0098] FIG. 7 illustrates the flow of the image intake processing.
The processing is implemented as described below when adding an
image data file into an optional folder 221. In FIG. 7, the
optional folder 221 is provided to record image data files Which
have undergone the classification process. In order to facilitate
the explanation, only one image data recording folder is shown in
the figure. Image data files A1-A4 are recorded in the optional
folder 221. The image data files A1-A3 have already been recorded
in the folder 221, and the image data file A4 is a file that has
been newly added into the folder 221.
[0099] A specific folder 222, on the other hand, is provided to
enable creation of a management file. A management file B4 is
recorded in the specific folder 222. In the management file B4,
information that indicates specifically which image data file has
been newly added into the optional folder 221 is recorded. In the
example presented in FIG. 7, the file name of the image data file
A4 is recorded in the management file B4. The management file B4
does not contain any image data, and the minimum volume of
information that enables the identification of the image data file
A4 is registered in the management file B4.
[0100] In FIG. 7, the processing from step S101-Step S103 is
implemented by the image file processing module in the application
program. In step S101, the personal computer 2 receives the image
data file from the electronic still camera 1. In step S102, the MPU
21 assigns a file name "A4" to the image data file that has been
received and records the image data file in the folder 221. In step
S103, the MPU 21 creates a management file having recorded therein
the file name "A4" of the image data file A4 having been recorded
in the folder 221 and records the management file in the specific
folder 222 with a file name "B4" assigned to the management
file.
[0101] The processing in steps S104-S106 is implemented by the
image display processing module in the application program. In step
S104, the MPU 21 checks to determine whether or not a file has been
recorded in the specific folder 222. If a file has been recorded in
the specific folder 222, the recorded management file (the
management file B4 in the example in FIG. 7) is read and the file
name of the image data file recorded in folder 221 is identified as
"A4". In step S105, the MPU 21 reads the image data file A4 from
the folder 221. In step S106, the MPU 21 deletes the management
file B4 recorded in the specific folder 222 and ends the image data
file addition processing. Afterwards, the MPU 21 displays an image
corresponding to the image data file A4 thus read at the display
device 25.
[0102] If the application program is programmed to implement
thumbnail display of all the images corresponding to the image data
files recorded in the folder 221, thumbnail images are displayed at
the display device 25 as illustrated in FIG. 8. FIG. 8 presents a
display example in which images corresponding to the image data
files A1-A4 recorded in the folder 221 are displayed at the display
device 25. In FIG. 8, the diagonal lines each indicate that no
image corresponding to specific image data is currently on
display.
[0103] If, on the other hand, it is decided in step S104 that there
is no file recorded in the specific folder 222, the MPU 21 sustains
the image display by using the image data files A1-A3 that have
been read previously. Namely, unless the management file B4 is
recorded in the specific folder 222, the image data file A4
recorded in the folder 221 cannot be identified for a read. As a
result, the images corresponding to the image data files A1-A3 that
have already been read are continuously displayed at the display
device 25.
[0104] Identifying Image Data File being Deleted
[0105] The processing for deleting the image data file A4 recorded
in the optional folder 221 is implemented as described below. FIG.
9 illustrates the flow of the image delete processing. In FIG. 9,
image data files are recorded in the optional folder 221. As
explained earlier in reference to the image data file recording
processing, only one folder for image data recording is shown in
the figure. The image data files A1-A3 are recorded in the optional
folder 221. The image data file A4 has been newly deleted from the
folder 221.
[0106] As explained earlier, the specific folder 222 is provided to
enable the creation of a management file. A management file C4 is
recorded in a specific folder 222. Information indicating which
image data file has been newly deleted from the optional folder 221
is recorded in the management file C4. In the example presented in
FIG. 9, the file name of the image data file A4 is recorded in the
management file C4. The management file C4 does not contain any
image data, and the minimum volume of information required to
identify the image data file A4 is registered in the management
file C4.
[0107] In FIG. 9, the processing in steps S201-S202 is implemented
by the image file processing module in the application program. In
step S201, the MPU 21 of the personal computer 2 creates a
management file having recorded therein the file name "A4" of the
image data file A4 to be deleted from the folder 221 and records
the management file assigned with a file named "C4" in the specific
folder 222. In step S202, the MPU 21 deletes the image data file A4
recorded in the optional folder 221.
[0108] The processing in steps S203-S205 is implemented by the
image display processing module in the application program. In step
S203, the MPU 21 checks to determine whether or not a file is
recorded in the specific folder 222. If a file is recorded in the
specific folder 222, the recorded management file (the management
file C4 in the example presented in FIG. 9) is read and then the
operation proceeds to step S204. In step S204, the MPU 21
identifies the file name of the image data file having been deleted
from the folder 221 as "A4". In step S205, the MPU 21 deletes the
management file C4 stored in the specific folder 222 and ends the
image data file delete processing.
[0109] If the application program is programmed to implement
thumbnail display of the images corresponding to all the image data
files recorded in the folder 221 as described in reference to FIG.
8, the display of the image corresponding to the deleted image data
file A4 is halted. In other words, the images corresponding to the
image data files A1-A3 recorded in the folder 221 are displayed at
the display device 25 as illustrated in FIG. 10.
[0110] If, on the other hand, it is decided in step S203 that no
file is recorded in the specific folder 222, the MPU 21 continues
the display of the images corresponding to the image data files
A1-A4 that have been previously read. Namely, unless the management
file C4 is recorded in the specific folder 222, no identification
can be made with regard to the deletion of the image data file A4
having been recorded in the folder 221. Consequently, the image
display shown in FIG. 8, in which the images corresponding to the
previously read image data files A1-A4 are on display, is sustained
at the display device 25.
[0111] The following advantages are achieved in the image data file
display device in the first embodiment explained above.
[0112] Prevention of Duplicate File Intake
[0113] (1) The in-taken data management table 601 containing data
of the four management items, i.e., the folder name, the file name,
the date on which the image data were obtained through
photographing and the file size of the image data, corresponding to
each set of image data recorded in the recording device 22 of the
personal computer 2 is created and recorded in the recording device
22. When the personal computer 2 takes in an image data file from
the electronic still camera 1, the electronic still camera 1 first
transmits the attribute data alone (step S61) and the personal
computer 2 makes a decision as to whether or not there are
management item data recorded in the recording device 22 that match
the attribute data taken in from the electronic still camera 1
(step S63). Thus, the electronic still camera 1 first transmits
only the attribute data with a smaller data volume compared to the
image data file before sending the image data file, to enable the
personal computer 2 to make a decision as to whether or not the
image data file has already been recorded in the recording device
22. As a result, the length of time required for the
decision-making process can be reduced compared to the processing
in which the image data file is first transmitted and then a
decision is made as to whether or not the image data file has
already been recorded. In particular, a great advantage is achieved
when this feature is adopted in conjunction with image data which
are transmitted as large-size data files and require a great deal
of time for file transfer.
[0114] (2) In addition to the feature in (1), if it is decided that
the management item data do not match the attribute data, the image
data file is transmitted from the electronic still camera 1 to the
personal computer 2 and the image data file is recorded in the
recording device 22, whereas if it is decided that the management
item data match the attribute data, the image data file is not
transmitted from the electronic still camera 1 to the personal
computer 2 and, consequently, the image data file is not recorded
in the recording device 22. Thus, the recording device 22 does not
need to have a large recording capacity since an image data file
which has been already recorded is not repeatedly recorded in the
recording device 22 of the personal computer 2,
[0115] Identifying Image Data File being taken in
[0116] (3) When recording an additional image data file A4 in the
folder 221 in the recording device 22 of the personal computer 2,
the image data file A4 is recorded in the folder 221 (step S102)
and then, the management file B4 having recorded therein the file
name of the image data file A4 is recorded as a temporary file in
the specific folder 222 (step S103). Once the new image data file
A4 is identified, the management file B4 is deleted (S106). This
enables the MPU 21 to detect that the image data file A4 has been
added in the optional folder 221 through the detection of the
creation of the management file B4 in the specific folder 222. As a
result, compared to the processing in which the MPU 21 identifies
the newly added image data file by referencing all the image data
files recorded in the optional folder 221 with the file list, the
length of time required for the processing by the MPU 21 is greatly
reduced. This feature is particularly advantageous when the number
of image data files recorded in the folder 221 is very large since
it would take a long time to check all the image data files. In
addition, since the management file B4 is created in the folder 222
after the image data file A4 is recorded in the folder 221, it is
possible to prevent the MPU 21 from accessing the image data file
k4 while it is still in the process of being recorded in the folder
221. Furthermore, since the management file B4 is deleted after the
additional image data file A4 is identified, the image data file
that has been identified once is not identified again.
[0117] Identifying Image Data File being Deleted
[0118] (4) When deleting the image data file A4 recorded in the
optional folder 221 in the recording device 22 of the personal
computer 2, the management file C4 having recorded therein the file
name of the image data file A4 is recorded in the specific folder
222 as a temporary file (step S201), and the image data file A4 is
deleted from the folder 221 (step S202). Once the image data file
A4 that has been deleted is identified, the management file C4 is
deleted (S205). This enables the MPU 21 to detect that the image
data file A4 has been deleted from the optional folder 221 by
detecting the creation of the management file C4 in the specific
folder 222. As a result, compared to the processing in which the
MPU 21 identifies which image data file has been deleted by
referencing all the image data files recorded in the optional
folder 221 with the file list, the length of time required for the
processing by the MPU 21 is greatly reduced. This feature is
particularly advantageous when the number of image data files
recorded in the folder 221 is very large since it would take a
great deal of time to check all the image data files. In addition,
since the image data file A4 is deleted from the folder 221 after
the management file C4 is created in the folder 222. it is possible
to prevent the MPU 21 from accessing the image data file A4 which
is in the process of being deleted from the folder 221.
Furthermore, since the management file-C4 is deleted after the
deleted image data file A4 is identified, the image data file which
has been identified once is not identified again.
[0119] While an explanation is given above without setting a
specific length of time over which data recorded in the in-taken
data management table 601 should be saved, the period over which
the data are to be saved may be specified. In such a case, the
period over which the data are to be saved, e.g., seven days, is
specified in advance, and the data recorded in the management table
are erased after the save period. Since a negative decision is made
in step S63 as explained earlier once the data are erased, all the
image data files are transmitted from the electronic still camera 1
to the personal computer 2. The following advantage is achieved by
specifying the data save period in this manner. For instance, when
a new image data file is additionally recorded in the CF card 12
from which an image data file previously recorded therein has been
transmitted once to the personal computer 2, the image data file in
the CF card 12 which has already been recorded in the recording
device 22 of the personal computer is not transmitted again during
the save period over which the data in the management table are
saved. The shorter the period of time having elapsed since an image
data file was transmitted from the CF card 12 to the personal
computer 2 most recently, the higher the likelihood of the same
image data file present in the CF card 12. The object of specifying
the data save period is to prevent a single image data file from
being transmitted more than once when the same CF card 12 is used
repeatedly. When image data files are transmitted to the personal
computer 2 after the save period, all the image data files in the
CF card 12 are provided to the personal computer 2 and, as a
result, the image data files that were sent to the personal
computer 2 in the past, too are transmitted again to enable the
personal computer 2 to check all the images in the CF card 12.
[0120] In the explanation given above, the image data file name
"A4" of the additionally recorded image data file and the image
data file name "A4" of the deleted image data file are recorded in
the management file B4 and the management file C4 to correlate the
management files with the image data file. Instead, a single name
may be assigned as the file name of the management file B4 and the
file name of the additional image data file A4 and as the file name
of the management file C4 and the file name of the image data file
A4 to be deleted to achieve a correlation, In such a case, the
specific folder 222 and the optional folder 221 achieve a
one-to-one relationship.
[0121] In addition, file names may be assigned to the management
file B4 and the management file C4 by adding path information
corresponding to the image data file A4 to the file name "A4" of
the image data file to be added and deleted instead. In this case,
there are multiple optional folders 221 related to a single
specific folder 222.
[0122] Furthermore, while the file name "A4" of the additional
image data file A and the file name "A4" of the deleted image data
file are registered in the management file B4 and the management
file C4 in the explanation given above, both the image data file
name "A4" and the path information corresponding to the image data
file A4 may be registered in the management file B4 and the
management file C4. While there is a one-to-one relationship
between the specific folder 222 and the optional folder 221 in the
first embodiment described above, there are multiple optional
folders 221 related to a single specific folder 222 when both the
file name "A4" and the path information are registered in the
management file B4 and the management file c4.
[0123] While an explanation is given above on an example in which
the electronic still camera 1 and the personal computer (PC) 2 are
connected via the IEEE-1394 cable 3 in the image data file display
device, another network cable or an interface device that engages
in wireless transmission/reception may be employed instead of the
IEEE-1394 cable 3 to connect the electronic still camera 1 and the
personal computer (PC) 2 to each other.
[0124] In addition, instead of connecting the electronic still
camera 1 and the personal computer 2, a CF card read device may be
internally provided at the personal computer 2 or a CF card read
device may be directly connected to the personal computer 2 to
enable the personal computer 2 to directly read recorded data from
the CF card 12 into which image data have been recorded by the
electronic still camera 1.
[0125] Furthermore, the image data file display device may be
constituted by connecting a personal computer to a personal
computer, or a recording medium to a personal computer or it may be
constituted by housing the components in a single housing. When
using a recording medium, i.e., when connecting a recording medium
such as a CF card to a personal computer, they are connected via a
CF card read device or an adapter that converts the CF card
interface to another interface such as the USB, Bluetooth or an
IrDA. In either case, the present invention may be adopted
effectively when a large number of sets of data provided in a large
file size such as image data are transferred and recorded in
conformance to a specific data communication protocol regardless of
whether the individual electronic apparatuses are connected through
wired connection or wireless connection.
[0126] While an explanation is given above in reference to the
first embodiment in which the image data file display device is
provided with an file management apparatus, the image data file
display processing (the image data file intake/delete processing
and the image display processing) described above may be realized
in software, stored as a file management program in a recording
medium such as a CD-ROM or a floppy disk so that the file
management program read by the personal computer can be used to
display image data files recorded by the electronic camera by
taking the image data files into the personal computer.
[0127] Instead of reading the program from the recording medium
having recorded therein the image data file management program
described above, the image data file management program may be
transmitted through a transmission medium such as the Internet. In
this case, the transmitted program that has been read by the
personal computer is used to implement intake/delete processing and
display processing on image data files on the personal computer as
described earlier.
Second Embodiment
[0128] Group Management of Continuously Shot Image Files
[0129] During a continuous shooting operation performed in the
electronic still camera 1, pictures are taken over several frames
within 1 second. As a result, the number of image data files
created during a single photographing operation is larger than the
number of image data files obtained in an operation in which
pictures are taken for one frame at a time. Accordingly, it is more
convenient to handle image data obtained through a continuous
shooting operation as a group rather than individually handling
them in units of single frames. In the image data file display
device achieved in the second embodiment of the present invention,
a decision is made as to whether or not image data files have been
obtained through a continuous shooting operation by using the
attribute data of the image data files recorded in the CF card 12,
and if it is decided that they have been obtained through a
continuous shooting operation, these image data files are managed
as a group.
[0130] The MPU 21 of the personal computer 2 takes in attribute
data indicating the file names 140 and the dates corresponding to
all the image data files recorded in the CF card 12 of the
electronic still camera 1. Then, the MPU 21 makes a decision as to
whether or not the image data files have been obtained through a
continuous shooting operation based upon the attribute data thus
taken in. FIG. 11 presents an example of the attribute data
indicating the file names 140 and the dates having been taken into
the personal computer 2. Each set of date information in FIG. 11
includes a date portion 150 and a time point portion 160 and may be
obtained from the time stamp used in the DOS format explained
earlier. Since the numerical value portions 142 of the file names
140 of these image data files sequentially increase by one at a
time, the image data files have been obtained continuously through
photographing. Since the date portions 150 all indicate a single
date and the time point portions 160 indicate time points close to
one another (more accurately, the time points differ from each
other by the photographing interval during continuous shooting),
the image data are determined to be those obtained through a
continuous shooting operation. In this example, the image data
files are determined to manifest continuity when the image data
files share the same folder name, the values indicated in the
numerical value portions 142 of the file names 140 are incremented
by one sequentially, the date portions 150 indicate the same date
and the time points indicated in the time point portions 160
advance in correspondence to the photographing intervals during a
continuous shooting operation.
[0131] If the image data files manifest continuity as described
above, the MPU 21 determines that they are image data files
obtained through a continuous shooting operation and implements
group management on them as a set of files. When they are managed
as a set of files, either the header portions 141 or the numerical
value portions 142 in the file names 140 in FIG. 11 are replaced
with specific characters to manage the image data files by using
file names such as "G0010004.JPG"--"G0010007.JPG". "G001" indicates
the first set of image data files that have been grouped.
[0132] Now, the image data file management processing achieved in
the second embodiment is explained in reference to the flowchart in
FIG. 12 The program that executes the processing in the flowchart
presented in FIG. 12 is started up when the electronic still camera
1 and the personal computer 2 become connected via the IEEE-1394
cable 3 after starting up a specific image data file intake program
on the personal computer 2. In step S81, the MPU 21 of the personal
computer 2 issues a request to the electronic still camera 1 to
transmit only attribute data indicating file names and dates to the
personal computer 2. In response to the request for the attribute
data, the MPU 11 of the electronic still camera 1 transmits the
attribute data indicating the file names and the dates
corresponding to a plurality of image data files in the CF card 12
to the personal computer 2. The plurality of image data files in
this context refer to all the image data files recorded in the CF
card 12.
[0133] In step S82, the MPU 21 of the personal computer 2 makes a
decision as to whether or not the attribute data taken in from the
electronic still camera 1 include data manifesting continuity. If
it is decided that there are data manifesting continuity (if an
affirmative decision is made in step S82), the operation proceeds
to step S83, whereas if it is decided to that there are no data
manifesting continuity (if a negative decision is made in step
S82), the operation proceeds to step S84.
[0134] In step S83, the MPU 21 prepares a prefix "G001" to replace
the header portions 141. If continuity manifests over a plurality
of instances, prefixes "G002", G003" . . . are also prepared. In
step S84, the MPU 21 issues a request to the electronic still
camera 1 to transmit the image data files recorded in the CF card
12 to the personal computer 2. Upon receiving the request for the
image data files, the MPU 11 of the electronic still camera 1
transmits the image data files recorded in the CF card 12 to the
personal computer 2. The MPU 21 of the personal computer 2 records
the files among the image data files thus taken in, which have been
determined to manifest continuity in step S82 as described above,
in a specific recording area of the recording device 22 by
replacing the header portions 141 of their file names with the
prefix "G001". Files determined not to manifest continuity, on the
other hand, are recorded in specific recording areas of the
recording device 22 without changing their file names from those
under which they were transmitted from the electronic still camera
1. When all the image data files transmitted from the electronic
still camera 1 are recorded in the recording device 22, the MPU 21
ends the processing in FIG. 12.
[0135] In the image data file display device achieved in the second
embodiment explained above, the electronic still camera 1 first
transmits only the attribute data indicating the file names and the
dates corresponding to a plurality of image data files recorded in
the CF card 12 to the personal computer 2, and the personal
computer 2 makes a decision as to whether not the attribute data
that have been taken in include any data manifesting continuity
(step S82). If it is decided that there are data manifesting
continuity, the MPU 21 of the personal computer 2 replaces the file
names of the image data files transmitted from the electronic still
camera 1 with a prefix that are determined to be image data files
obtained through a continuous shooting operation and records them
in the recording device 22 in step S84. As a result, the image data
files obtained through continuous shooting are managed in a group
as a set of files sharing a single prefix, and thus, the file
management is facilitated. This feature achieves a great advantage
since a particularly large number of image data files are created
through continuous shooting.
[0136] While the MPU 11 of the electronic still camera 1 transmits
the attribute data indicating the file names and the dates
corresponding to all the image data files in the CF card 12 to the
personal computer 2 (step S81) in explanation given above,
attribute data corresponding to image data files recorded in a
folder assigned with a pre-specified subdirectory name 130 alone
may be transmitted. In such a case, when the MPU 21 of the personal
computer 2 records the image data files in a specific recording
area of the recording device 22 in step S84, the image data files
recorded in the pre-specified folder in the CF card 12 are recorded
in the recording device 22.
[0137] In addition, while the MPU 21 prepares the prefix "G001" to
replace the header portions 141 in step S83 in the explanation
given above, a suffix to replace the numerical value portions 142
may be prepared instead.
Third Embodiment
[0138] Prevention of Duplicate File Intake P In the image data file
display device achieved in the third embodiment, specific attribute
data of an image data file are pre-specified in the personal
computer 2, and the electronic still camera 1 first transmits of
attribute data alone when the personal computer 2 takes in image
data files from the electronic still camera 1. The personal
computer 2 makes a decision as to whether not the pre-specified
attribute data match the attribute data taken in from the
electronic still camera 1. If it is decided in the personal
computer 2 that the attribute data match each other, the electronic
still camera 1 transmits the image data file to the personal
computer 2.
[0139] The attribute data of a given set of image data include
information indicating "read only", the "hidden file" and the
"archive" in the DOS format and the information in the header
portion of the image data as well as the folder name, the file
name, the filing date ("the date on which the image data were
obtained through photographing") and the file size of the image
data explained earlier. From these various types of information, a
given type of attribute data is specified in advance at the
personal computer 2. FIG. 13 shows an intake specification defining
table 603 used to specify the attribute data. In PIG. 13, two types
of attribute data are specified. The first type of attribute data
is "read only" which specifies an image data file assigned with a
protect flag so that the file is not erased by mistake. The second
type of attribute data is the date that specifies a file obtained
through photographing at 16:30 on Apr. 4, 2000. At least one type
of attribute data is specified in advance in the intake
specification defining table 603 in this manner.
[0140] The image data file management processing achieved in the
third embodiment is now explained in reference to flowchart of the
processing presented in FIG. 14. The program for implementing the
processing in the flowchart in FIG. 14 is started up when the
electronic still camera 1 and the personal computer 2 become
connected with each other via the IEEE1394 cable 3 after starting
up a specific image data file intake program on the personal
computer 2.
[0141] In step S91, the MPU 21 of the personal computer 2 issues a
request to the electronic still camera 1 to transmit the attribute
data alone to the personal computer 2. In response to the request
for the attribute data, the MPU 11 of the electronic still camera 1
transmits the attribute data of a target file in the CF card 12 to
the personal computer 2. When step S91 is implemented for the first
time after the processing in FIG. 14 starts, the attribute data of
the first file in the CF card 12, i.e., the image data file with
the file name "DSCN0001.JPG" within the folder assigned with the
folder name "100NIKON" alone are transmitted to the personal
computer 2. In step S92, the MPU 21 of the personal computer 2
reads out the intake specification defining table 603 (see FIG. 13)
from the recording device 22, and then the operation proceeds to
step S93.
[0142] In step S93, the MPU 21 makes a decision as to the attribute
data specified in the intake specification defining table 603 read
out from the recording device 22 match the attribute data having
been taken in from the electronic still camera 1. If it is decided
that they match (if an affirmative decision is made in step S93),
the operation proceeds to step S94. If, on the other hand, it is
decided that they do not match (if a negative decision is made in
step S93), the operation proceeds to step S95, and in this case, no
request is issued to the electronic still camera 1 to transmit an
image data file to the personal computer 2. In step S94, the MPU 21
issues a request to the electronic still camera 1 to transmit the
image data file, the attribute data of which have been taken in
step S91, to the personal computer 2. In response to the request
for the image data file, the MPU 11 of the electronic still camera
1 provides the corresponding image data file in the CF card 12 to
the personal computer 2. The MPU 21 of the personal computer 2
records the image data file thus taken in a specific recording area
of the recording device 22 and then the operation proceeds to step
S95.
[0143] In step S95, the MPU 11 makes a decision as to whether or
not the processing has been completed for all the image data files
recorded in the CF card 12. If it is decided that the processing
has been completed (if an affirmative decision is made in step
S95), an end flag is sent to the personal computer 2 and the
processing in FIG. 14 ends. If, on the other hand, it is decided
that the processing has not been completed (it a negative decision
is made in step S95), the operation proceeds to step S96.
[0144] Instep S96, the MPU 11 advances by one to the next target
file, the attribute data of which are to be taken in from the CF
card 12, before the operation returns to step S91.
[0145] The following advantages are achieved in the image data file
display device in the third embodiment explained above.
[0146] (1) Specific attribute data specified by the personal
computer 2 by using the intake specification defining table 603 are
recorded in the recording device 22. When the personal computer 2
takes in an image data file from the electronic still camera 1, the
electronic still camera 1 first transmits the attribute data alone
(step S91), and the personal computer 2 makes a decision as to
whether the attribute data recorded in the recording device 22
match the attribute data taken in from the electronic still camera
1 (step S93). Thus, the electronic still camera 1 only needs to
transmit the attribute data with a small data volume compared to
the image data file before actually transmitting the image data
file, to enable the personal computer 2 to ascertain whether or not
the image data file matching the specified attribute data is
present in the electronic still camera 1.
[0147] (2) In addition to the feature in (1) above, if it is
decided that the specified attribute data match the attribute data
transmitted from the electronic still camera 1, the image data file
is transmitted from the electronic still camera 1 to the personal
computer 2, whereas if it is decided that the specified attribute
data do not match the attribute data provided by the electronic
still camera 1, the image data file is not transmitted from the
electronic still camera 1 to the personal computer 2. Thus, simply
by specifying attribute data, required image data can be
automatically selected from numerous sets of image data in the
electronic still camera 1 to be transmitted to the personal
computer 2, thereby making it possible to greatly reduce the length
of time required for the intake processing and greatly simplifying
the intake processing procedure compared to the processing in which
all the image data files are first transmitted from the electronic
still camera 1 to the personal computer 2 and then one image data
file is selected from them.
[0148] Instead of connecting the electronic still camera 1 and the
personal computer 2 to each other as explained above, a CF card
read device may be internally provided at the personal computer 2
or a CF card read device may be directly connected to the personal
computer 2 to enable the personal computer 2 to directly read data
recorded in the CF card 12. In this case, the programs in the flow
charts presented in FIGS. 6, 12 and 14 explained earlier are
started up when the CF card 12 is loaded in the CF card read
device. In addition, when this structure is adopted, the processing
as being implemented by the MPU 11 of the electronic still camera 1
in the explanation above is implemented by the MPU 21 of the
personal computer 2 instead. In other words, unless the CF card
read device is internally provided with an MPU, as is the
electronic still camera 1, attribute information or image data are
received from the CF card read device when the MPU 21 requires the
attribute information or the image data.
[0149] In addition, image data file management may be implemented
to prevent duplicate file intake by connecting an electronic camera
to another electronic camera, a personal computer to another
personal computer, a recording medium to another recording medium,
a camera to a recording medium or a recording medium to a personal
computer, or the image data file management may be achieved by
housing these components in a single casing. When using a recording
medium, e.g., when connecting such as a CF card to a personal
computer, they are connected via a CF card read device or an
adapter that converts the CF card interface to another interface
such as USB, Bluetooth or an IrDA. In either case, the present
invention may be adopted effectively when data provided in a large
file size such as image data are transferred between electronic
apparatuses in conformance to a specific data communication
protocol regardless of whether the individual electronic
apparatuses are connected through wired connection or wireless
connection.
Fourth Embodiment
[0150] The image capturing system achieved in the fourth embodiment
of the present invention is illustrated in FIG. 1 as is the file
display device explained earlier. The image capturing system in the
fourth embodiment is characterized in that image data obtained
through an image capturing operation performed in the electronic
still camera 1 are recorded in both the CF card 12 of the
electronic still camera 1 and the recording device 22 of the
personal computer 2. When a shutter release operation is performed
at the electronic still camera 1, the electronic still camera 1
starts a photographing operation. Image data output from the image
capturing element 14 are recorded in the CF card 12 by the MPU 11.
The MPU 11 also stores the image data in the transfer buffer memory
131 provided in the interface circuit 13. The image data stored in
the transfer buffer memory 131 are transferred to the transfer
buffer memory 231 provided at the interface circuit 23 of the
personal computer 2 connected via the IEEE-1394 cable 3 and thus
are taken into the personal computer 2. The image data taken into
the personal computer 2 are read out by the MPU 21 from the
transfer buffer memory 231 and are recorded in a specific recording
area in the recording device 22.
[0151] The image data stored in the transfer buffer memory 131 of
the interface circuit 13 are held in the transfer buffer memory 131
until they are transferred to the transfer buffer memory 231 at the
interface circuit 23 of the personal computer 2. As a result, when
the image data cannot be transferred to the personal computer 2
immediately, the image data are transferred from the transfer
buffer memory 131 to the personal computer 2 at a point in time at
which an image data transfer is enabled. The image data cannot be
transferred immediately in any of the following three situations,
for instance. Namely, the electronic still camera 1 and the
personal computer 2 are not connected with each other via the
IEEE1394 cable 3, an error has occurred in either the interface
circuit 13 or the interface circuit 23 resulting in a transfer
failure or a recording-ready state has not been achieved since the
capacity at the recording device 22 is insufficient or no medium
has been loaded.
[0152] When the transfer of the image data from the transfer buffer
memory 131 to the personal computer 2 is completed, the MPU 11
deletes the transferred image data in the transfer buffer memory
131. The MPU 11 detects the transfer end by checking a flag
separately provided at the interface circuit 13. Based upon whether
or not the image data stored in the transfer buffer memory 131 have
been transferred, a decision is made as to whether or not the image
data can be recorded in the recording device 22 of the personal
computer 2. If it is decided that a state in which the image data
can be recorded in the recording device 22 of the personal computer
2 has not been achieved, the MPU 11 does not delete the image data
in the transfer buffer memory 131.
[0153] If the transfer buffer memory 131 of the interface circuit
13 at the electronic still camera 1 has a storage area for image
data corresponding one photographing operation, the MPU 11 records
image data to be transferred at the CF card 12 until the transfer
buffer memory 131 becomes available in response to a new shutter
release operation performed while untransferred image data are
stored in the transfer buffer memory 131. The image data recorded
in the CF card 12 through this process are managed by the MPU 11 as
image data to be transferred to the personal computer 2 which are
different from the image data recorded in the CF card 12 after the
photographing operation starts. In response to the shutter release
operation, the MPU 11 implements a photographing operation and
records the image data in the CF card 12, and the MPU also checks
to ascertain whether not there are any image data to be transferred
to the personal computer 2 remaining either in the transfer buffer
memory 131 or the CF card 12.
[0154] The MPU 11 disallows the transfer of the image data to be
recorded in the personal computer 2 if there are untransferred
image data stored in the transfer buffer memory 131 of the
interface circuit 13, i.e., if the image data cannot be recorded in
the recording device 22 of the personal computer 2. Namely, the
recording operation for recording the image data at the personal
computer 2 is halted. When the transfer buffer memory 131 of the
interface circuit 13 becomes available, i.e., when it becomes
possible to record image data in the recording device 22 of the
personal computer 2, the MPU 11 transfers the image data to be
recorded to the personal computer 2. Namely, an operation for
recording image data is started at the personal computer 2.
[0155] The MPU 21 of the personal computer 2 monitors to ascertain
whether or not any image data are stored in the transfer buffer
memory 131 of the interface circuit 13 at the electronic still
camera 1 via the interface circuit 23 and the IEEE-1394 cable 3. If
there are image data stored in the transfer buffer memory 131, the
MPU 21 receives the stored image data and stores them in the
transfer buffer memory 231 in the interface circuit 23. The MPU 21
reads out the image data from the transfer buffer memory 231 and
records them in a specific recording area of the recording device
22. Then, the MPU 21 deletes the recorded image data in the
transfer buffer memory 231.
[0156] FIG. 15 is a flowchart of the processing performed by the
MPU 11 of the electronic still camera 1 in the image capturing
system described above. In step S151 in FIG. 15, the MPU 11 makes a
decision as to whether or not a shutter release operation has been
performed. If an affirmative decision is made, i.e., if it is
decided that a shutter release operation has been performed, the
operation proceeds to step S152 in which photographing processing
and image data generation processing are implemented. In step S153,
the MPU 11 makes a decision as to whether or not image data can be
recorded in the CF card 12. The image data cannot be recorded in
the CF card 12 if the CF card 12 is not correctly loaded in the
electronic still camera 1 or if the recording capacity of the CF
card 12 is insufficient. If an affirmative decision is made in step
S153, i.e., if it is decided that a recording operation can be
performed, the operation proceeds to step S154. In step S154, the
MPU 11 records the image data in a specific recording area of the
CF card 12.
[0157] If a negative decision is made instep S153, on the other
hand, the operation proceeds to step S155 to perform timer
processing over a specific length of time. Until it is decided in
step S155 that a timeout has occurred (as long as a negative
decision is made in step S155) the operation returns to step S153
to repeat the decision-making processing, and once it is decided in
step S155 that a timeout has occurred (once an affirmative decision
is made in step S155), the operation proceeds to step S256. In step
S156, the MPU 11 makes a decision as to whether or not the transfer
buffer memory 131 has become available for use. If it is decided in
step S156 that the transfer buffer memory 131 is available for use,
i.e., if an affirmative decision is made, the operation proceeds to
step S157. In step S157, the MPU 11 stores the image data in the
transfer buffer memory 131 and then the operation proceeds to step
S158.
[0158] In step S158, the MPU makes a decision as to whether or not
of the transfer of the image data stored in the transfer buffer
memory 131 has been completed. If an affirmative decision is made
in step S158, the operation proceeds to step S159 in which the MPU
11 deletes the transferred image data stored in the transfer buffer
memory 131 before ending the processing shown in FIG. 15. If, on
the other hand, a negative decision is made in step S158, the
operation proceeds to step S160, in which timer processing is
implemented over a specific length of time. Until it is decided in
step S160 that a timeout has occurred (as long as a negative
decision is made in step S160), the operation returns to step S158
to repeat the decision-making processing, and once it is decided in
step S160 that a timeout has occurred (once an affirmative decision
dismayed in step S160), the processing in FIG. 15 ends with the
untransferred image data left in the transfer buffer memory
131.
[0159] Now, an explanation is given on the processing performed
when a negative decision is made in step S156. If it is decided in
step S156 that the transfer buffer memory 131 is not available,
i.e., if a negative decision is made in step S156, the operation
proceeds to step S163 to implement timer processing over a specific
length of time. Until it is decided in step S163 that a timeout has
occurred (as long as a negative decision is made in step S163), the
operation returns to step S156 to repeat the decision-making
processing, and once a decision is made in step S163 that a timeout
has occurred (once an affirmative decision is made in step S163),
the operation proceeds to step S164. In step S164, the MPU 11
records the transfer image data in the CF card 12 before the
operation proceeds to step S165. In step S165, the MPU 11 makes a
decision as to whether or not the transfer buffer memory 131 has
become available for use. If an affirmative decision is made in
step S165, i.e., if it is decided that the transfer buffer memory
131 is available for use, the operation proceeds to step S167. In
step S167, the MPU 11 reads out the transfer image data from the CF
card 12 and deletes the image data from the CF card 12 before the
operation proceeds to step S157.
[0160] If a negative decision is made in step S165, the operation
proceeds to step S166 to implement timer processing over a specific
length of time. Until it is decided in step S166 that timeout has
occurred (as long as a negative decision is made in step S166), the
operation returns to step S165 to repeat the decision-making
process, and once it is decided in step S166 that a timeout has
occurred (once an affirmative decision is made in step S166), the
processing in FIG. 15 ends with the untransferred image data left
in the CF card 12.
[0161] An explanation is now given on the processing performed when
a negative decision is made in step S151. If it is decided in step
S151 that a shutter release operation has not been performed, the
operation proceeds to step S161 to make a decision as to whether or
not there are any untransferred image data left in the transfer
buffer memory 131. If an affirmative decision is made in step S161,
i.e., if it is decided in step S161 that there are untransferred
image data, the operation proceeds to step S158, whereas if a
negative decision is made in step S161, the operation proceeds to
step S162. In step S162, a decision is made as to whether or not
there are any image data left untransferred in the CF card 12. If
an affirmative decision is made in step S162, i.e., if it is
decided in step S162 that there are untransferred image data, the
operation proceeds to step S165, whereas if a negative decision is
made in step S162, the processing in FIG. 15 ends.
[0162] FIG. 16 is a flowchart of the processing implemented by the
MPU 21 of the personal computer 2 in the image capturing system
explained above. In step S171 in FIG. 16, the MPU 21 makes a
decision as to whether not any image data are stored in the
transfer buffer memory 131 of the electronic still camera 1. If an
affirmative decision is made in step S171, the operation proceeds
to step S172, whereas if a negative decision is made in step S171,
the processing in FIG. 16 ends.
[0163] In step S172, the MPU 21 makes a decision as to whether or
not image data can be recorded in the recording device 22. It is
sometimes not possible to record image data in the recording device
22 due to insufficient recording capacity or the like. If an
affirmative decision is made in step S172, i.e., if it is decided
in step S172 that a recording operation is enabled, the operation
proceeds to step S173. In step S173, the MPU 21 receives the image
data from the transfer buffer memory 131 of the electronic still
camera 1 and stores the received image data in the transfer buffer
memory 231 in the interface circuit 23, before the operation
proceeds to step S175. It is to be noted that the transfer buffer
memory 231 of the interface circuit 23 has a storage area for image
data corresponding to one photographic operation as does the
transfer buffer memory 131 of the electronic still camera 1. In
step S175, the MPU 21 reads out the image data from the transfer
buffer memory 231 and records the image data in a specific
recording area of the recording device 22. The MPU 21 deletes the
recorded image data in the transfer buffer memory 231 in step S176
and the processing in FIG. 16 ends.
[0164] If, on the other hand, a negative decision is made in step
S172, the operation proceeds to step S174 to implement timer
processing over a specific length of time. Until it is decided in
step S174 that a timeout has occurred (as long as a negative
decision is made in step S174), the operation returns to step 5172
to repeat the decision-making processing and once it is decided in
step S174 that a timeout has occurred (once an affirmative decision
is made in step S174), the processing in FIG. 16 ends.
[0165] The following advantages are achieved in the image capturing
system in the fourth embodiment explained above.
[0166] (1) Image data obtained through an image capturing operation
performed in the electronic still camera 1 are recorded both in the
CF card 12 of the electronic still camera 1 and in the recording
device 22 of the personal computer 2 Thus, the image data are
recorded at two locations for management, and even if the image
data become lost at one location, the image data at the other
location can be utilized.
[0167] (2) When image data cannot be recorded in the CF card 12 of
the electronic still camera 1, the image data are recorded in the
recording device 22 of the personal computer 2. Since the recording
capacity of the recording device 22 at the personal computer 2 is
normally larger than that of the CF card 12, a larger volume of
image data can be recorded compared to the volume of image data
recorded only in the CF card 12. As a result, a new photographing
operation can be performed even when the available capacity of the
CF card 12 is insufficient.
[0168] (3) If image data obtained through an image capturing
operation performed in the electronic still camera 1 cannot be
immediately transferred to the personal computer 2 to be recorded
in the recording device 22, the image data to be transferred to the
personal computer 2 are held in the transfer buffer memory 131 of
the electronic still camera 1. In addition, if untransferred image
data corresponding to one photographing operation are already
stored in the transfer buffer memory 131, the image data to be
transferred are stored in the CF card 12. Once it becomes possible
to transfer the image data to the personal computer 2 and record
them in the recording device 22, the image data stored in the
transfer buffer memory 131 and the untransferred image data
recorded in the CF card 12 are transferred from the electronic
still camera 1 to the personal computer 2 and are recorded in the
recording device 22. Thus, even when there is a failure at the
personal computer 2 disabling an operation for recording image
data, the photographing operation can be performed continuously
with the image data recorded in the camera by the electronic still
camera 1, and then, once the problem has been resolved, the image
data having been recorded in the camera can be recorded in the
recording device 22 of the personal computer 2.
[0169] In the image capturing system is explained above, image data
obtained through an image capturing operation performed at the
electronic still camera 1 are recorded in the CF card 12 of the
electronic still camera 1 and in the recording device 22 of the
personal computer 2 so that the photographing operation can be
performed continuously with the image data recorded in the
electronic still camera 1 even when the image data obtained through
image capturing cannot be immediately transferred to the personal
computer 2 to be recorded in the recording device 22. Instead, the
image data obtained through the image capturing operation performed
at the electronic still camera 1 may be recorded only in the
recording device 22 of the personal computer 2. In this case, if
the image data obtained through an image capturing operation
performed at the electronic still camera 1 cannot be immediately
transferred to the personal computer 2 to be recorded in the
recording device 22, the photographing operation is performed
continuously by recording the image data at the electronic still
camera 1, and once the problem is resolved, the image data having
been recorded in the camera are recorded in the recording device 22
of the personal computer 2.
Fifth Embodiment
[0170] In the image capturing system in the fourth embodiment
explained above, no image data are recorded in the electronic still
camera 1 if image data cannot be recorded in the CF card 12 (if a
negative decision is made in step S153). In the image capturing
system achieved in the fifth embodiment of the present invention,
however, even when image data cannot be recorded in the CF card 12,
the image data recorded in the recording device 22 of the personal
computer 2 are read out and transferred to the electronic still
camera 1 and the transferred image data are then recorded in the CF
card 12 when it becomes possible later to record image data in the
CF card 12.
[0171] FIG. 17 presents a flowchart of the processing implemented
by the MPU 11 of the electronic still camera 1 in the image
capturing system in the fifth embodiment. In FIG. 17, the same step
numbers are assigned to steps in which processing identical to the
processing implemented in the fourth embodiment is executed. The
flowchart in FIG. 17 differs from that in FIG. 15 in that step
S155B, which is implemented if an affirmative decision is made in
step S155, is added and in that the operation shifts to new
processing shown in FIG. 18 to be detailed later when the
processing in FIG. 15 ends. Accordingly, an explanation is given
below by focusing on these differences.
[0172] If an affirmative decision is made in step S155, i.e. if it
is decided that a timeout has occurred in step S155 in FIG. 17, the
operation proceeds to step S155B. In step S155B, the MPU 11 creates
an unrecorded data list having registered therein information with
regard to the image data which have not been recorded in the CF
card 12 and records the list alone in a memory (not shown)
internally provided in the MPU 11, before the operation proceeds to
step S156.
[0173] FIG. 18 is a flowchart of the second half of the processing
implemented by the MPU 11 of the electronic still camera 1 in the
image capturing system achieved in the fifth embodiment. The
operation proceeds to implement the processing in the flowchart
presented in FIG. 18 after the processing in step S159 in FIG. 17
is executed, after an affirmative decision is made in step S160 in
FIG. 17, after a negative decision is made in step S162 in FIG. 17
or after an affirmative decision is made in step S166 in PIG. 17.
In step S181 in FIG. 18, the MPU 11 makes a decision as to whether
or not the memory in the MPU 11 contains the unrecorded data list
mentioned above. If an affirmative decision is made in step S181,
the operation proceeds to step S182 in which the MPU 11 issues a
request to the personal computer 2 for the image data, the
information regarding which is registered in the unrecorded data
list via the interface circuit 13 before the operation proceeds to
step S183. If, on the other hand, a negative decision is made in
step S183, the processing in FIG. 18 ends.
[0174] In step S183, the MPU 11 makes a decision as to whether or
not image data are stored in the transfer buffer memory 231 of the
personal computer 2. If an affirmative decision is made in step
S183, the operation proceeds to step S184, whereas if a negative
decision is made in step S183, the processing in FIG. 18 ends. In
step S184, the MPU 11 makes a decision as to whether or not the
image data can be recorded in the CF card 12. If an affirmative
decision is made in step S184, i.e., if it is decided it that the
image data can be recorded, the operation proceeds to step
S185.
[0175] In step S185, the MPU 11 receives the image data from the
transfer buffer memory 231 and stores them in the transfer buffer
memory 131 in the interface circuit 13 before the operation
proceeds to step S187. In step S187, the MPU 11 reads out the image
data from the transfer buffer memory 131 and records the image data
in a specific recording area of the CF card 12. In step S188, the
MPU 11 deletes the recorded image data from the transfer buffer
memory 131 before the operation proceeds to step S189. In step
S189, the MPU 11 deletes the information regarding the recorded
image data from the unrecorded data list and then the processing in
FIG. 18 ends.
[0176] If a negative decision is made in step S184, on the other
hand, the operation proceeds to step S186 to implement timer
processing over a specific length of time. Until it is decided in
step S186 that a timeout has occurred (as long as a negative
decision is made in step S186), the operation returns to step S184
to repeat the decision-making processing, and once it is decided in
step S186 that a timeout has occurred (once an affirmative decision
is made in step S186) the processing in FIG. 18 ends.
[0177] FIG. 19 is a flowchart of the processing implemented by the
MPU 21 of the personal computer 2 in the image capturing system
achieved in the fifth embodiment. The processing is achieved by
adding steps S191-S195 to be implemented after step S176 in the
processing presented in FIG. 16 illustrating the fourth embodiment.
Accordingly, an explanation is given below by focusing on the
processing implemented in and after step S191. In step S191 in FIG.
19, the MPU 21 makes a decision as to whether or not there has been
a request for image data issued to the interface circuit 23 from
the MPU 11 of the electronic still camera 1. If an affirmative
decision is made in step S191, the operation proceeds to step S192
in which the MPU 21 reads out the requested image data from the
recording device 22. If, on the other hand, a negative decision is
made in step S191, the processing in FIG. 19 ends. In step S193,
the MPU 21 stores the image data that have been read out in the
transfer buffer memory 231 before the operation proceeds to step
S194.
[0178] In step S194, the MPU 21 makes a decision as to whether or
not the transfer of the image data stored in the transfer buffer
memory 231 has been completed. If an affirmative decision is made
in step S194, the operation proceeds to step S195 in which the MPU
21 deletes the transferred image data stored in the transfer buffer
memory 131 before the processing in FIG. 19 ends. If a negative
decision is made in step S194, however, the decision-making
processing in step S194 is repeated.
[0179] In the image capturing system in the fifth embodiment
explained above, if the image data obtained through an image
capturing operation performed at the electronic still camera 1
cannot be immediately recorded in the CF card 12, the image data
are transferred to the personal computer 2 and are recorded in the
recording device 22, and an unrecorded data list having registered
therein information regarding the unrecorded image data is created.
Once the CF card 12 of the electronic still camera 1 enters an
image data recording enabled state, the electronic still camera 1
issues a request for the image data registered in the unrecorded
data list to the personal computer 2 and the requested image data
are read out from the recording device 22 of the personal computer
2. These image data are transferred from the personal computer 2 to
the electronic still camera 1 where they are recorded in the CF
card 12. As a result, even when the image data cannot be recorded
in the CF card 12, the photographing operation can be continuously
performed by having the image data transferred from the electronic
still camera 1 to the personal computer 2 and recorded in the
personal computer 2. Then when the problem at the CF card 12 is
resolved, the image data recorded in the personal computer 2 can be
recorded in the CF card 12 of the camera.
[0180] In the image capturing system explained above, the image
data obtained through an image capturing operation performed at the
electronic still camera 1 are recorded both in the CF card 12 of
the electronic still camera 1 and in the recording device 22 of the
personal computer 2 so that even when the image data resulting from
the image capturing operation cannot be immediately recorded in the
CF card 12, the photographing operation can be continued by
transferring the image data to the personal computer 2 and
recording them in the recording device 22. Instead, the image data
obtained by performing an image capturing operation at the
electronic still camera 1 may be recorded in the CF card 12 of the
electronic still camera 1 alone. In this case, if the image data
obtained through the image capturing operation cannot be
immediately recorded in the CF card 12, the photographing operation
is allowed to continue at the electronic still camera 1 by
transferring the image data to the personal computer 2 where they
are recorded in the recording device 22, and when the problem at
the CF card 12 is resolved, the image data recorded in the personal
computer 2 are transferred to the electronic still camera 1 to e
recorded in the CF card 12.
[0181] Alternatively, the image data obtained through an image
capturing operation performed at the electronic still camera 1 may
be recorded in the recording device 22 of the personal computer 2
alone. In this case, if the image data obtained by performing the
image capturing operation at the electronic still camera 1 cannot
be immediately transferred to the personal computer 2 and recorded
in the recording device 22, the photographing operation is allowed
to continue at the electronic still camera 1 by recording the image
data in the CF card 12 of the electronic still camera 1. Once it
becomes possible to transfer the image data to the personal
computer 2 to be recorded in the recording device 22, the image
data having been recorded in the CF card 12 of the electronic still
camera 1 are transferred to the personal computer 2 and recorded in
the recording device 22.
[0182] While an explanation is given above on an example in which
the electronic still camera 1 and the personal computer (PC) 2 are
connected via the IEEE-1394 cable 3 in the image capturing system,
another type of network cable may be used instead of the IEEE-1394
cable 3 or the electronic still camera 1 and the personal computer
(PC) 2 may be connected by using an interface device that engages
in wireless transmission/reception. The interface that is used in
such an application may be USB, Bluetooth, IrDA or the like. In any
case, the present invention may be adopted when transferring and
recording image data in conformance to a specific data
communication protocol between various electronic apparatuses
regardless of whether they are connected through wiring or through
a wireless connection.
[0183] In addition, the present invention may be adopted in a
system achieved by connecting the electronic still camera 1 to a
printer, the electronic still camera 1 to a TV monitor or the
electronic still camera 1 to a telephone instead of connecting the
electronic still camera 1 to the personal computer 2.
[0184] Furthermore, the present invention may be adopted in a
system constituted by using an electronic apparatus internally
provided with a camera such as a personal computer internally
provided with a camera, instead of the electronic still camera
1.
[0185] While an explanation is given above on an example in which
the transfer buffer memory 131 and the transfer buffer memory 231
each have an area for storing image data corresponding to a single
photographing operation they may each be provided with an area for
storing image data corresponding to a plurality of photographing
operations. In such a case, image data obtained through a plurality
of photographing operations stored in the transfer buffer memory
131 and the transfer buffer memory 231 can be transferred in a
batch.
Sixth Embodiment
[0186] In the image data handling apparatus achieved in the sixth
embodiment of the present invention, a CF card disengaged from an
electronic still camera other than the electronic still camera
connected to the apparatus is loaded into the apparatus. FIG. 20
schematically illustrates the image data handling apparatus in the
sixth embodiment. In FIG. 20, an image data handling apparatus 2 is
connected to an electronic still camera 1 via an IEEE-1394 cable 3.
The electronic still camera 1 includes an MPU 11, a CF card 12, an
interface circuit 13 and an image capturing element 14. The CF card
12, which is detachably provided at the electronic still camera 1,
is loaded in the electronic still camera 1 for use during a
photographing operation. A transfer buffer memory 131 is provided
at the interface circuit 13.
[0187] The electronic still camera 1 records image data obtained by
performing an image capturing operation at the image capturing
element 14 in the CF card 12 in a specific format. In addition, in
order to transfer the image data obtained through a photographing
operation to the image data handling apparatus 2 via the interface
circuit 13 and the IEEE-1394 cable 3, the electronic still camera 1
stores the image data in the transfer buffer memory 131 internally
provided at the interface circuit 13. The operation of the
electronic still camera 1 is controlled by the MPU 11.
[0188] The image data handling apparatus 2 may be constituted of,
for instance, a personal computer. The image data handling
apparatus 2 includes an MPU 21, a recording device 22, an interface
circuit 23, a card read circuit 27, a display circuit 24 and a
display device 25. A transfer buffer memory 231 is provided at the
interface circuit 23. The image data transmitted from the
electronic still camera 1 via the IEEE-1394 cable are input to the
image data handling apparatus 2 through the interface circuit 23.
The image data thus taken into the image data handling apparatus 2
are recorded in a specific recording area in the recording device
22. The image data recorded in the recording device 22 are then
read out from the recording device 22 and converted to an image
signal at the display circuit 24. The image signal is displayed at
the display device 25 connected to the image data handling
apparatus 2 via an image signal cable 26. The operation of the
image data handling apparatus 2 is controlled by the MPU 21.
[0189] A slot 30 in which a PC card is loaded is provided at the
image data handling apparatus 2. By attaching an adapter (not
shown) to the CF card 12, the CF card 12 can be loaded into the PC
card slot 30. The data in the CF card 12 loaded in the PC card slot
30 are read out by the card read circuit 27 in response to a
command issued by the MPU 21. As a result, the MPU 21 is allowed to
directly read out the image data recorded in the CF card 12 loaded
in the PC card slot 30 without having to read them via the
IEEE-1394 cable 3.
[0190] An electronic still camera 1A which is similar to the
electronic still camera 1 records image data obtained through an
image capturing operation performed at an image capturing element
14A in a CF card 12A in a specific format. The CF card 12A which is
provided detachably at the electronic still camera 1A is loaded in
the electronic still camera 1A for use during a photographing
operation. The operation of the electronic still camera 1A is
controlled by an MPU 11A. In FIG. 20, the CF card 12A having been
taken out from the electronic still camera 1A is loaded in the PC
card slot 30 of the image data handling apparatus 2 with an adapter
attached thereto. In the CF card 12A, image data obtained through a
photographing operation performed while the CF card 12A was loaded
in the electronic still camera 1A are recorded.
[0191] The image data taken into the image data handling apparatus
2 from the electronic still camera 1 are displayed at the display
device 25 and also are printed out at an output device (not shown)
connected to the image data handling apparatus 2 or transmitted to
a computer apparatus (not shown) that is capable of engaging in
data exchange with the image data handling apparatus 2.
[0192] When a shutter release operation is performed at the
electronic still camera 1, the electronic still camera 1 starts a
photographing operation and image data output from the image
capturing element 14 are recorded in the CF card 12 by the MPU 11.
The MPU 11 also stores the image data in the transfer buffer memory
131 provided in the interface circuit 13. The image data stored in
the transfer buffer memory 131 are transferred to the transfer
buffer memory 231 provided at the interface circuit 23 of the image
data handling apparatus 2 connected via the IEEE-1394 cable 3 and
thus are taken into the image data handling apparatus 2. The image
data taken into the image data handling apparatus 2 are read out
from the transfer buffer memory 231 and are recorded in a specific
recording area in the recording device 22 by the MPU 21.
[0193] The image data stored in the transfer buffer memory 131 of
the interface circuit 13 are held in the transfer buffer memory 131
until they are transferred to the transfer buffer memory 231 at the
interface circuit 23 of the image data handling apparatus 2. As a
result, when the image data cannot be transferred from the transfer
buffer memory 131 to the image data handling apparatus 2
immediately, the image data are transferred from the transfer
buffer memory 131 to the image data handling apparatus 2 at a point
in time at which an image data transfer becomes enabled. The image
data cannot be transferred immediately in any of the following
three situations, for instance. Namely, the electronic still camera
1 and the image data handling apparatus 2 are not connected with
each other via the IEEE-1394 cable 3, an error has occurred in
either the interface circuit 13 or the interface circuit 23
resulting in a transfer failure or a recording-ready state has not
been achieved since the capacity at the recording device 22 is
insufficient or no medium has been loaded.
[0194] When the transfer of the image data from the transfer buffer
memory 131 to the image data handling apparatus 2 ends, the MPU 11
deletes the transferred image data in the transfer buffer memory
131. If the image data transfer has not been completed for a
reason, e.g., the image data cannot be recorded in the recording
device 22 of the image data handling apparatus 2, the MPU 11 does
not delete the image data in the transfer buffer memory 131.
[0195] The image data handling apparatus 2 records the image data
in the recording device 22 in the image data handling apparatus 2.
The MPU 22 of the image data handling apparatus 2 monitors to
ascertain whether or not any image data are stored in the transfer
buffer memory 131 of the interface circuit 13 at the electronic
still camera 1 via the interface circuit 23 and the IEEE-1394 cable
3. Based upon whether or not image data are stored in the transfer
buffer memory 131, the MPU 21 makes a decision as to whether or not
image data have been input via the interface circuit 23 and the
IEEE-1394 cable 3. If there are image data stored in the transfer
buffer memory 131, the MPU 21 receives the stored image data and
stores them in the transfer buffer memory 231 in the interface
circuit 23. The MPU 21 reads out the image data from the transfer
buffer memory 231 and records them in a specific recording area of
the recording device 22. Then, the MPU 21 deletes the recorded
image data in the transfer buffer memory 231.
[0196] The MPU 21 of the image data handling apparatus 2 also
monitors to ascertain whether or not the CF card 12A is loaded in
the PC card slot 30. The MPU 21 detects the potential at a terminal
(not shown) provided in the PC card slot 30 for card-load detection
and detects that the CF card 12A is loaded in the PC card slot 30
depending upon whether or not the potential is equal to or higher
than a predetermined potential level. Upon detecting that the CF
card 12A is loaded, the MPU 21 detects an image data input from the
CF card 12A and reads out the image data recorded in the CF card
12A. The image data read out from the CF card 12A are recorded in a
specific recording area in the recording device 22.
[0197] FIG. 21 is a flowchart of the processing implemented by the
MPU 11 of the electronic still camera 1 described above. In step
S211 in FIG. 21, the MPU 21 makes a decision as to whether or not a
shutter release operation has been performed. If an affirmative
decision is made, i.e., if it is decided that a shutter release
operation has been performed, the operation proceeds to step S212
in which photographing processing and image data generation
processing are implemented. In step S213, the MPU 11 records the
image data in a specific recording area of the CF card 12 before
the operation proceeds to step S214.
[0198] In step S214, the MPU 11 stores the image data in the
transfer buffer memory 131 and then the operation proceeds to step
S215. In step S215, the MPU 11 makes a decision as to whether or
not the transfer of the image data stored in the transfer buffer
memory 131 has been completed. If an affirmative decision is made
in step S215, the operation proceeds to step S216 in which the MPU
11 deletes the transferred image data stored in the transfer buffer
memory 131 before the processing in FIG. 21 ends. If, on the other
hand, a negative decision is made in step S215, the decision-making
in step S215 is repeated.
[0199] In the image data handling apparatus 2, an application
program having an IEEE-1394 image intake processing module and a PC
card image intake processing module is executed. FIG. 22 is a
flowchart of the processing implemented by the MPU 21 in the image
data handling apparatus 2. The MPU 21 implements the processing
shown in FIG. 22 repeatedly.
[0200] The IEEE-1394 image intake processing module is a program
module that receives an image data file recorded in the CF card 12
at the electronic still camera 1 at the image data handling
apparatus 2 via the IEEE-1394 cable 3 and the interface circuit 23
and records the received image data file in a specific area of the
recording device 22. The processing implemented in steps S221-S224
in FIG. 22 corresponds to that achieved in the IEEE-1394 image
intake processing module.
[0201] The PC card image intake processing module is a program
module that engages the MPU 21 to read an image data file recorded
in the CF card 12A loaded in the PC card slot 30 to record the
image data file thus read in a specific area of the recording
device 22. The processing implemented in steps S225-S228 in FIG. 22
corresponds to the processing achieved by the PC card image intake
processing module.
[0202] In the image data handling apparatus 2, the image data file
recording processing implemented in the PC card image intake
processing module is given priority over the image data file
recording processing implemented in the IEEE-1394 image intake
processing module. Namely, while image data are being input via the
interface circuit 23, a decision is made as to whether or not the
CF card 12A is loaded every time an image data file corresponding
to one frame is recorded in the recording device 22 by the
IEEE-1394 image intake processing module. Once it is decided that
the CF card 12A is loaded, the image data files for all the frames
recorded in the CF card 12A are read out and recorded in the
recording device 22. After the image data files for all the frames
recorded in the CF card 12A are completely recorded, the IEEE-1394
image intake processing module records the image data file
corresponding the next frame to be received via the IEEE-1394 cable
3 and the interface circuit 23. If no image data are being input
via the interface circuit 23, a decision is made as to whether or
not the CF card 12A is loaded and if it is decided that the CF card
12A is loaded, the image data files corresponding to all the frames
recorded in the CF card 12A are read out and recorded in the
recording device 22.
[0203] In the explanation of the embodiment, the operation
described above is referred to as the priority operation. Namely,
while image data are being input to the image data handling
apparatus 2 via the interface circuit 23, image data corresponding
to one frame that are being input via the interface circuit 23 are
recorded in the recording device 22 if the presence of the CF card
12A is detected. Then, when the image data for the one frame have
been recorded, the image data corresponding to all the frames
recorded in the CF card 12A are read out and recorded in the
recording device 22 before recording the image data of the next
frame input via the interface circuit 23.
[0204] In step S221 in FIG. 22, the MPU 21 makes a decision as to
whether or not image data are stored in the transfer buffer memory
131 of the electronic still camera 1. If an affirmative decision is
made in step S221, the operation proceeds to step S222, whereas if
a negative decision is made in step S221, the operation proceeds to
step S225.
[0205] In step S222, the MPU 21 receives the image data for one
frame from the transfer buffer memory 131 of the electronic still
camera 1 and stores the image data in the transfer buffer memory
231 in the interface circuit 23 before the operation proceeds to
step S223. In step S223, the MPU 21 reads out the image data for
one frame from the transfer buffer memory 231 and records the image
data in a specific recording area of the recording device 22. In
step S224, the MPU 21 deletes the recorded image data in the
transfer buffer memory 231 and then the operation proceeds to step
S225.
[0206] In step S225, the MPU 21 makes a decision as to whether or
not the CF card 12A is loaded. If an affirmative decision is made,
i.e., if it is decided that the CF card 12A is loaded, the
operation proceeds to step S226, whereas if a negative decision is
made, the processing in FIG. 22 ends. In step S226, the MPU 21
makes a decision as to whether or not image data have been recorded
in the CF card 12A. If an affirmative decision is made, i.e., if it
is decided that image data have been recorded, the operation
proceeds to step S827, whereas a negative decision is made if no
image data have been recorded or the CF card 12A has not been
initialized in a specific format and the processing in FIG. 22
ends.
[0207] In step S227, the MPU 21 reads the image data corresponding
to all the frames recorded in the CF card 12A via the card read
circuit 27 and the operation proceeds to step S228. In step S228,
the MPU 21 records the image data for all the frames that have been
read in a specific recording area of the recording device 22 before
the processing in FIG. 22 ends.
[0208] In the sixth embodiment explained above, the image data
handling apparatus 2 makes a decision as to whether or not the CF
card 12A is loaded (step S225) each time the processing in which an
image data file corresponding to one frame received from the
electronic still camera 1 via the IEEE-1394 cable 3 and the
interface circuit 23 is recorded in the recording device 22 is
completed (step S224). If it is decided that the CF card 12A is
loaded, the image data files corresponding to all the frames
recorded in the CF card 12A are read and recorded in the recording
device 22 (step S227). Thus, the image data in the CF card 12A from
the other electronic still camera are given priority for recording
over the image data from the electronic still camera 1. As a
result, when a photographing operation cannot be performed at the
other electronic still camera without the CF card 12A, the CF card
12A can be reloaded in the other electronic still camera promptly,
thereby minimizing the length of time over which a photographing
operation is disabled at the other electronic still camera.
[0209] In addition, when image data files are continuously input to
the image data handling apparatus 2 via the interface circuit 23,
e.g., when a shutter release operation is performed repeatedly at
the electronic still camera 1, the image data handling apparatus 2
first records in the recording device 22 the image data
corresponding to the frame received from the interface circuit 23
before it is decided that the CF card 12A is loaded, and then
starts reading the image data files in the CF card 12A the presence
of which has been detected. As a result, the processing for
recording in the recording device 22 the image data file
corresponding to the frame received before the decision is made
that the CF card 12A is loaded is not halted in the middle, the
received data are not wasted.
[0210] Two or more PC card slots 30 may be provided at the image
data handling apparatus 2 described above. In such a case, a
plurality of CF cards can be loaded in the image data handling
apparatus 2. When a plurality of CF cards are loaded in the image
data handling apparatus 2, the MPU 21 sequentially reads all the
image data files recorded in the CF cards, starting with the CF
card that is determined to be the first CF card loaded in a slot 30
and records the image data files thus read in the recording device
22. When the processing on the first CF card ends, the MPU 21
starts processing the next CF card.
[0211] In addition, two or more electronic still cameras may be
connected to the image data handling apparatus 2. When a plurality
of electronic still cameras are connected to the image data
handling apparatus 2, the MPU 21 makes a decision as to whether or
not there are any image data files in the transfer buffer memories
in the individual electronic still cameras via the interface
circuits connected to the electronic still cameras. Then, an image
data file for one frame is received from the electronic still
camera first determined by the MPU 21 to have stored therein an
image data file via the corresponding interface circuit and the
image data file thus received is recorded in the recording device
22. When the image data for one frame have been recorded, the MPU
21 again makes a decision as to whether or not there are image data
files in the transfer buffer memories provided in the individual
electronic still cameras.
[0212] While an explanation is given above on an example in which
the electronic still camera 1 and the image data handling apparatus
2 are connected via the IEEE-1394 cable 3, the system may be
constituted by connecting the electronic still camera 1 and the
image data handling apparatus 2 of via a network cable other than
the IEEE-1394 cable 3 or by connecting them with an interface
device that engages in wireless transmission/reception. The
interface used in such an application may be USB, Bluetooth, or
IrDA. In any case, the present invention may be adopted when image
data are transferred and recorded in conformance to a specific data
communication protocol between the electronic apparatuses connected
either through a wired connection or a wireless connection.
[0213] In addition, instead of the electronic still camera 1, an
electronic apparatus that generates image data such as a scanner
apparatus or a personal computer internally provided with a camera
may be utilized. Furthermore, the functions achieved in the image
data handling apparatus 2 may be incorporated in a printer, a TV
monitor, telephone or the like.
[0214] While an explanation is given above on an example in which
the CF card 12 A constitutes the recording medium loaded in the
image data handling apparatus 2, the recording medium may be any of
various types of removable disks such as an MD, a CD and a DVD as
well as a memory card which may be a smart medium.
[0215] The image data files in the CF card 12A may be given
priority for recording at the recording device 22 of the image data
handling apparatus 2 through the method shown in FIG. 23 instead.
FIG. 23 is a flowchart of processing implemented by the MPU 21 of
the image data handling apparatus 2. In the steps assigned with the
same step numbers as those in FIG. 22, processing identical to that
in FIG. 22 is implemented. In FIG. 23, the MPU 21 makes a decision
in step S225 as to whether or not the CF card 12A is loaded before
implementing the processing in step S221, in which a decision is
made as to whether or not any image data are stored in the transfer
buffer memory 131 of the electronic still camera 1. Then, if it is
decided that the CF card 12A is loaded (if an affirmative decision
is made in step S225), the image data files for all the frames
recorded in the CF card 12A are read (step S227) and the image data
files thus read are recorded in the recording device 22 (step
S228). Next, in step S221, the MPU 21 makes a decision as to
whether or not there are image data stored in the transfer buffer
memory 131 of the electronic still camera 1. By adopting this
method, too, the length of time over which a photographing
operation is disabled at the other electronic still camera that
needs the CF card 12A to perform a photographing operation is
reduced.
[0216] Alternatively, the MPU 21 may make a decision as to whether
or not the CF card 12A is loaded through interrupt processing. FIG.
24 presents a flowchart of processing implemented by the MPU 21 of
the image data handling apparatus 2. In the steps assigned with the
same step numbers as those in FIGS. 22 and 23, processing identical
to that in FIGS. 22 and 23 is implemented. In FIG. 24A, the MPU 21
implements processing for recording in the recording device 22 an
image data file corresponding to one file received from the
electronic still camera 1 via the interface circuit 23. If the CF
card 12A is loaded to interrupt the MPU 21 while the processing in
FIG. 24A is in progress, the MPU 21 starts the interrupt processing
in FIG. 24B.
[0217] When the MPU 21 starts the interrupt processing in FIG. 24B,
the processing implemented in steps S221-S224 in FIG. 24A to record
in the recording device 22 the image data file received at the
transfer buffer memory 231 is interrupted (halted) in the middle or
aborted (canceled), the image data files for all the frames
recorded in the CF card 12A are read (step S227) and the image data
files thus read are recorded in the recording device 22 (step
S228). After the image data files read from the CF card 12A are
recorded in the recording device 22, the operation returns to
implement the processing in steps S221-S224 in FIG. 24A having been
interrupted (halted) in the middle or aborted (canceled) and the
image data file received via the interface circuit 23 is recorded
At this time, if the processing for recording an image data file
for one frame in the recording device 22 was interrupted (halted),
the processing is resumed at the point at which it was interrupted
(halted), whereas if the processing for recording an image data
file for one frame in the recording device 22 was aborted
(canceled), the processing is resumed from the beginning.
* * * * *