U.S. patent application number 10/303802 was filed with the patent office on 2003-04-24 for electronic camera and method of operating an electronic camera.
This patent application is currently assigned to Nikon Corporation. Invention is credited to Ezawa, Akira, Kawamura, Tomoaki, Kazami, Kazuyuki, Nozaki, Hirotake, Yokonuma, Norikazu.
Application Number | 20030076427 10/303802 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 27320010 |
Filed Date | 2003-04-24 |
United States Patent
Application |
20030076427 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Kawamura, Tomoaki ; et
al. |
April 24, 2003 |
Electronic camera and method of operating an electronic camera
Abstract
An electronic camera displays recorded information, such as
image frames, to permit the selection of items of information to be
transferred to external equipment. Each time an item of information
is transferred, an informative indication (e.g., an icon) is
displayed in association with the transferred item to confirm the
transfer and to permit an operator to select items of recorded
information that may be erased. If an error occurs during transfer
of a series of items, the operator can determine from the display
the point at which the error occurred, avoiding the need for
transferring items that have already been transferred.
Inventors: |
Kawamura, Tomoaki;
(Kawasaki-shi, JP) ; Yokonuma, Norikazu; (Tokyo,
JP) ; Nozaki, Hirotake; (Kawasaki-shi, JP) ;
Ezawa, Akira; (Kawasaki-shi, JP) ; Kazami,
Kazuyuki; (Tokyo, JP) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Nelson H. Shapiro
Miles & Stockbridge P.C.
Suite 500
1751 Pinnacle Drive
McLean
VA
22102-3833
US
|
Assignee: |
Nikon Corporation
|
Family ID: |
27320010 |
Appl. No.: |
10/303802 |
Filed: |
November 26, 2002 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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10303802 |
Nov 26, 2002 |
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09093055 |
Jun 8, 1998 |
|
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6522354 |
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60056261 |
Aug 29, 1997 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
348/231.3 ;
348/333.05; 386/E5.072 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H04N 1/00384 20130101;
H04N 5/232939 20180801; H04N 1/00204 20130101; H04N 1/00302
20130101; H04N 2101/00 20130101; H04N 1/0035 20130101; H04N 5/907
20130101; H04N 5/23216 20130101; H04N 5/772 20130101; H04N 5/765
20130101; H04N 5/77 20130101; H04N 1/00453 20130101; H04N 9/8047
20130101; H04N 1/00461 20130101; H04N 5/232933 20180801 |
Class at
Publication: |
348/231.3 ;
348/333.05 |
International
Class: |
H04N 005/222 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Jun 9, 1997 |
JP |
9-150839 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. An electronic camera comprising: image pickup means for
capturing an image of a subject and producing picture information;
information obtaining means for obtaining record information
including at least one of said picture information, voice
information which is provided through a microphone, and information
which is provided through an external input terminal; recording
means for receiving record information from said information
obtaining means, and recording record information on a recording
medium; transfer means for receiving record information from said
recording medium or from said information obtaining means, and
transferring record information to external equipment; and display
means for displaying information relating to record information,
wherein said display means provides an informative indication of
record information that has been transferred by said transfer
means, said informative indication identifying record information
that has been transferred.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional
Application No. 60/056,261, filed Aug. 29, 1997, which is
incorporated herein by reference.
[0002] This application also claims the priority of Japanese Patent
Application No. 9-150839 filed Jun. 9, 1997, which is also
incorporated herein by reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] 1. Field of the Invention
[0004] The present invention relates to an electronic camera, and
to a method of operating an electronic camera adapted to capture an
image of a subject, record the image on a recording medium, and
also transfer recorded information to external equipment.
[0005] 2. Related Background Art
[0006] Electronic cameras have been known in the past wherein
picture information picked up by an image pickup device is recorded
on a recording medium.
[0007] In such an electronic camera, the recording medium may be
repeatedly used by erasing recorded information at an appropriate
time. To this end, known electronic cameras are provided with
various functions for erasing recorded information.
[0008] As one example of such erasing functions, it is known to
erase all of the recorded information on a recording medium at one
time by a manual command operation (as disclosed in Laid-Open
Publication No. 6-90422 of Japanese Patent Application, for
example).
[0009] It is also known to erase recorded information on a
recording medium one item at a time by a manual command operation,
while confirming this item of recorded information on a monitor
screen, for example.
[0010] Many types of electronic cameras are known which have a
function to transfer recorded information on a recording medium to
external equipment. In transferring the recorded information to the
external equipment utilizing this transfer function, the recorded
information may be backed up or suitably processed as needed.
[0011] The transfer function may also be used to transfer the
recorded information directly to an external printing apparatus so
as to provide a printed copy or output of the recorded
information.
[0012] In many cases, the recorded information transferred from the
electronic camera to the external equipment is normally saved or
output at the location to which the information was transferred,
and it is erased at some time in the electronic camera.
[0013] In known cameras, when recorded information is transferred,
the operator must determine whether each item of the recorded
information has been transferred. This requires the operator to
rely on memory or on a note made at the time of the transfer. This
procedure is cumbersome, and possibly inaccurate, and is thus
undesirable.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0014] It is therefore an object of the invention to provide an
electronic camera and operating method which do not require an
operator to remember or note whether an item of recorded
information has been transferred.
[0015] To achieve this object, an informative indication is
displayed, which indicates transfer completion, corresponding to
each item of recorded information that has been transferred. The
operator can then determine from the informative indication whether
recorded information has been transferred. Consequently, the
operator need not remember or write down whether an item of
recorded information has been transferred.
[0016] Another object of the invention is to provide an electronic
camera and operating method that appropriately indicate how far
transfer processing has proceeded during transfer of a plurality of
items of recorded information.
[0017] To achieve this object, an informative indication is
displayed each time a transfer of an item of recorded information
is completed. By observing a change in the informative indications,
the operator is able to confirm or determine how far the transfer
processing has proceeded.
[0018] In the case where the transfer processing is terminated due
to an error or abnormality, those items that have been transferred
before the time of the termination can be easily determined from
the informative indications. This permits the operator to perform
subsequent transfer processing efficiently, by not transferring the
same information twice, for example.
[0019] Still another object of the invention is to provide an
electronic camera and operating method that enable an operator to
properly select recorded information to be erased, depending on the
transfer form or transfer destination of the recorded
information.
[0020] To achieve this object, a displayed form of an informative
indication is changed depending upon a transfer form or a transfer
destination. Thus, the informative indication not only indicates
whether the recorded information has been transferred, but also
enables the operator to identify the transfer form or the transfer
destination.
[0021] Consequently, the operator is able to appropriately and
carefully perform the procedure of selecting an item or items to be
erased, based on the transfer form employed for the transfer or the
transfer destination.
[0022] When recorded information is transferred from the electronic
camera through a communication line, the recorded information may
not be backed up or saved in may cases. In the camera and operating
method of the present invention, the operator can determine this
situation from the informative indication, and is therefore able to
appropriately and carefully perform the procedure of selecting
items to be erased.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0023] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a general embodiment of
the invention.
[0024] FIG. 2 is a diagrammatic view showing a particular
embodiment.
[0025] FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the external appearance
(on the side of the back face) of an electronic camera according to
the particular embodiment.
[0026] FIG. 4 is a flow chart showing the operations performed in a
transfer mode.
[0027] FIG. 5 is a view showing a selection screen of transfer
forms.
[0028] FIG. 6 is a view showing screen display after completion of
transfer.
[0029] FIG. 7 is a flow chart showing the operations performed in
an erasing mode.
[0030] FIG. 8 is a view showing screen display when the transfer
operation is terminated due to an error.
[0031] FIG. 9 is a view showing screen display when recorded
information is displayed over the entire area of a display
screen.
DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0032] In the electronic camera of FIG. 1, picture information
taken by an image pickup means 1 is obtained by an information
obtaining means 2 as record information to be recorded. Recording
means 3 records this information on a recording medium Z. Transfer
means 4 retrieves the recorded information from the recording
medium Z, and transfers the recorded information to external
equipment.
[0033] According to one aspect of the invention, display means 5
provides an informative indication for each item of recorded
information that has been transferred by the transfer means 4, to
inform that the item of recorded information has been
transferred.
[0034] With the informative indication thus provided, the operator
is able to determine whether an item or items of recorded
information has/have been transferred. Thus, the operator can
select the recorded information that has been transferred as an
item to be erased, without relying on memory or a note made at the
time of the transfer. According to another aspect of the invention,
the display means 5 successively displays an informative indication
each time transfer of each item of information has been completed.
By observing a change in the number of the number of informative
indications, the operator is able to determine how far the transfer
processing has proceeded.
[0035] When the transfer processing is terminated due to an error
or abnormality, informative indications informing completion of
transfer may be displayed along with those items of recorded
information that have been transferred by the time of termination
of the proceeding. Thus, the operator is able to easily determine
which items of recorded information have been successfully
transferred, and perform the subsequent transfer processing with
improved efficiency.
[0036] According to another aspect of the invention, the display
means 5 changes the displayed form of the informative indication
depending upon the transfer form of the transfer means 4 or the
transfer destination. Thus, the informative indication not only
indicates whether recorded information has been transferred, but
also enables the operator to identify the transfer form employed or
the transfer destination.
[0037] When recorded information is transferred from the electronic
camera, there may be two types of transfers, (1) a transfer where
information is transferred and not backed up and (2) a transfer
where information is transferred and backed up. With the first type
of transfer, recorded information must be carefully erased to avoid
undesired loss of information.
[0038] When recorded information is transferred from the electronic
camera through a communication line, the recorded information is
often not backed up. Such recorded information needs to be erased
properly and carefully.
[0039] Because the transfer form employed for the transfer (e.g.,
communication line), or the transfer destination, can be determined
based on the informative indications, items of recorded information
to be erased can be selected properly and carefully.
[0040] Turning to the particular embodiment of the present
invention shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, a photographing optical system 12
is mounted in the front face of a case of an electronic camera 11,
and a CCD image pickup device 13 is located on the optical axis of
the photographing optical system 12.
[0041] This photographing optical system 12 has a zooming function,
and its focal length is varied by a zoom motor 12b driven by a
motor drive circuit 12a.
[0042] The image output (picture information) of the CCD image
pickup device 13 is input to a microcomputer 15 via an image pickup
circuit 14, which performs conversion, e.g., A/D conversion and
other functions.
[0043] The microcomputer 15 has a data bus to which a
general-purpose interface 16 is connected. This interface 16
transfers data to an external computer 17 or the like via a cable,
for example.
[0044] A liquid crystal display 19 is mounted in the back face of
the case of the electronic camera 11, and is controlled by the
microcomputer 15 via a liquid crystal drive circuit 18.
[0045] A connector 20 into which a memory card 21 is removably
inserted is provided on the side face of the case of the electronic
camera 11, and the microcomputer 15 records information in the
memory card 21 through the connector 20 according to a known film
format.
[0046] A picture storage memory 22 that temporarily stores picture
information, a compression/decompression circuit 23 that performs
compression and decompression of data according to DCT conversion
or variable-length coding, a memory 24 that stores various types of
control information, a timer 25 that measures time under control of
the microcomputer 15, and a communications modem 26 that performs
data communication through a telephone line, are also connected to
the data bus of the microcomputer 15.
[0047] Also, a main switch 30, a release switch 31, a zoom-in
switch 33 and a zoom-out switch 34 are disposed on the upper face
of the case of the electronic camera 11.
[0048] Further, a mode switch 32, a forward select switch 35, a
backward select switch 36, a confirmation switch 37, a cancel
switch 38 and a finder 39 are disposed on the back face of the case
of the electronic camera 11. Switches 30-38 are respectively
connected to the microcomputer 15.
[0049] With regard to the relationship between the general
embodiment in FIG. 1 and the particular embodiment in FIGS. 2 and
3, the image pickup means 1 corresponds to the CCD image pickup
device 13 and image pickup circuit 14, the information obtaining
means 2 corresponds to the functions of microcomputer 15 to obtain
picture information from the image pickup circuit 14, the recording
means 3 corresponds to the connector 20 and the functions of
microcomputer 15 to record picture information on the memory card
21, the transferring means 4 corresponds to the interface 16 and
the communications modem 26, and the display means 5 corresponds to
the function of the microcomputer 15 to provide an informative
indication on the liquid crystal display 19.
[0050] In operation, the electronic camera 11, constructed as
described above, is initially set to a photographing mode
immediately after the power is turned on.
[0051] In this photographing mode, picture information subjected to
photoelectric conversion in the CCD image pickup device 13 is
transmitted to the microcomputer 15 at the same time that the
release switch 31 is pressed down.
[0052] The microcomputer 15 causes the compression/decompression
circuit 23 to perform compression processing on the picture
information, and then records the processed information in a free
storage space in the memory card 21 as recorded information.
[0053] The microcomputer 15 constantly checks if the mode switch 32
has been pressed or not, and changes the operation mode in the
following order each time the switch 32 is pressed.
[0054] Photographing mode
[0055] .dwnarw.
[0056] Transfer mode
[0057] .dwnarw.
[0058] Erase Mode
[0059] Operations in the transfer and erase modes will be described
hereinafter.
[0060] FIG. 4 is a flow chart showing the operations performed in
the transfer mode.
[0061] When the electronic camera 11 is set to the transfer mode,
the microcomputer 15 displays a selection screen (FIG. ) of
transfer forms on the liquid crystal display 19. On this selection
screen, two transfer forms consisting of "transfer to PC" (personal
computer) and "telephone line" are displayed as alternative
transfer forms (step S1).
[0062] In this state, the microcomputer 15 alternately moves the
display of the alternative transfer forms in and out of focus, in
response to the input received upon operation of the selection
switches 35, 36, and obtains the result of selection of the
transfer form at the point of time when the confirmation switch 37
is pressed (step S2).
[0063] Then, the microcomputer 15 sequentially retrieves the
recorded information stored in the memory card 21, and produces
thumbnail images used for reduction display.
[0064] More specifically, with respect to recorded information
consisting of picture information, thumbnail images are produced by
reducing the numbers of pixels in the vertical and horizontal
directions at the same ratio.
[0065] The microcomputer 15 arranges these thumbnail images in
order and displays them on the liquid crystal display 19 (step
S3).
[0066] In this state, the operator operates the selection switches
35, 36 and confirmation switch 37, to sequentially select those
items of recorded information on the liquid crystal display 19 that
are to be transferred. The microcomputer 15 then serially adds
pointer information of the selected items of recorded information
to a transfer list provided in the memory 24 (step S4).
[0067] The microcomputer 15 repeats the above selection processing
(when NO is obtained in step S5) until the confirmation switch 37
is double-clicked.
[0068] If the confirmation switch 37 is double-clicked (if YES is
obtained in step S5), the microcomputer 15 starts transferring data
according to the transfer form that has been selected in step S2
(step S6).
[0069] More specifically, where the data transfer is performed
through a telephone line, the microcomputer 15 sends a command to
the communications modem 26 to change the telephone line to the
connected state (off the hook). In this state, the microcomputer 15
causes the communications modem 26 to dial a predetermined dial
number (step S7).
[0070] When the telephone line has been placed in its calling
state, the microcomputer 15 reads out one item of the recorded
information listed in the transfer list from the memory card 21,
and transfers the data to the called terminal through the
communications modem 26 (step S8). The called terminal may be a
computer on the other side of the telephone line, or a mail server
of PC communications, for example.
[0071] The microcomputer 15 then checks through the communications
modem 26 whether the data transfer has been normally finished (step
S9). In the case where it is detected that the data transfer was
abnormally terminated (if NO is obtained in step S9), the
microcomputer 15 displays on the liquid crystal display 19 a
warning informing the abnormality (step S10), and terminates the
operation of the transfer mode.
[0072] If the data transfer was normally finished (if YES is
obtained in step S9), the microcomputer 15 links the transferred
item of recorded information with a telephone icon 51 by affixing
the telephone icon 51 as shown in FIG. 6 to a thumbnail image of
the transferred item of recorded information, and displays the icon
51 along with this thumbnail image (step S11).
[0073] If the data transfer processing has not been completed with
respect to all of the items to be transferred (if NO is obtained in
step S12), the microprocessor 15 returns to step S8 and repeats the
above-described transfer operation.
[0074] If the transfer processing for all of the items to be
transferred has been completed (if YES is obtained in step S12),
the microcomputer 15 finishes the operation of the transfer
mode.
[0075] Where "transfer to PC" shown in FIG. 5 was selected in step
S2, the microcomputer 15 performs the operation of step S13 after
executing step S6, so as to implement data transfer through the
interface 16.
[0076] In this case, the microcomputer 15 reads out from the memory
card 21 one item of the recorded information listed in the transfer
list and transfers the data to a receiver terminal 17 connected to
the interface 16 via a cable (step S13). The receiver terminal may
be a computer, backup apparatus, or a printing apparatus, for
example. In this transfer form, no communications line (such as a
telephone line) is interposed between the electronic camera and the
receiver terminal. It is to be understood that the interface 16 is
not necessarily connected to external equipment through a cable,
but may be connected to the external equipment by means of infrared
rays or radio waves, for example.
[0077] The microcomputer 15 checks through the interface 16 whether
the data transfer has been normally finished (step S14). If it is
detected that the data transfer was abnormally terminated (if NO is
obtained in step S14), the microcomputer 15 displays a warning on
the liquid crystal display 19 informing the abnormality (step S15),
and terminates the operation of the transfer mode.
[0078] When the data transfer was normally finished (when YES is
obtained in step S14), the microcomputer 15 links the transferred
item of recorded information with a PC icon 52 by affixing the PC
icon 52 to a thumbnail image of the transferred item of recorded
information as shown in FIG. 6, and displays the icon 52 along with
this thumbnail image (step S16).
[0079] If the data transfer processing has not been completed with
respect to all of the items to be transferred (if NO is obtained in
step S17), the microprocessor 15 returns to step S13 and repeats
the above-described transfer operation.
[0080] If the data transfer processing for all of the items to be
transferred has been completed (if YES is obtained in step S17),
the microcomputer 15 finishes the operation of the transfer
mode.
[0081] Next, the operations in the erase mode will be
explained.
[0082] FIG. 7 is a flow chart showing operations performed in the
erase mode.
[0083] When the electronic camera 11 is set to the erase mode, the
microcomputer 15 displays a selection screen of erasing methods on
the liquid crystal display 19. On this selection screen, three
erasing methods consisting of "erase all data", "erase manually"
and "erase only transferred data" are displayed as alternatives
(step S21).
[0084] In this state, the microcomputer 15 moves the display of the
alternatives sequentially in and out of focus, in response to the
input received upon operation of the selection switches 35, 36, and
obtains the result of the selection of the erasing method at the
point when the confirmation switch 37 is pressed (step S22).
[0085] Then, the microcomputer 15 selects an item or items to be
erased from the recorded information, according to the result of
selection of the erasing method.
[0086] More specifically, when "erase all data" is selected, all
items of the recorded information on the memory card 21 are
selected as the items (objects) to be erased (step S24).
[0087] When "erase manually" is selected, the microcomputer 15
arranges and displays thumbnail images of the recorded information
on the liquid crystal display 19. In this state, the microcomputer
15 determines the object(s) to be erased, which was/were selected
by the operator with the selection switches 35, 36 and confirmation
switch 37 (step S25).
[0088] When "erase only transferred data" is selected, the
microcomputer 15 selects, as the object(s) to be erased, one or
more items of the recorded information to which the PC icon(s) 52
was/were affixed as shown in FIG. 6 (step S26).
[0089] When the selection of the object(s) to be erased is
completed as described above, the microcomputer 15 displays on the
liquid crystal display 19 a thumbnail image representing the
recorded information of each object to be erased (step S27).
[0090] The microcomputer 15 then checks if either of the
confirmation switch 37 or cancel switch 38 is pressed (step
S28).
[0091] If the cancel switch 38 is pressed, the microcomputer 15
judges that a problem or mistake has occurred in selecting the
objects to be erased, and returns to step S21 to re-execute
selection of the objects to be erased.
[0092] If the confirmation switch 37 is pressed, on the other hand,
the microcomputer 15 starts erasing the object(s) to be erased in
the following manner.
[0093] Initially, the microcomputer 15 selects one item of recorded
information to be erased (step S29), and obtains a protection
attribute of this item of the recorded information from the memory
card 21 (step S30).
[0094] When the protection attribute is set to "inhibit the
information from being erased", the microcomputer 15 does not erase
this item of recorded information (step S31), and turns to execute
step S34.
[0095] When the protection attribute is set to "allow the
information to be erased", on the other hand, this item of recorded
information is erased from the memory card 21 (step S32). The
microcomputer 15 then eliminates from the liquid crystal display 19
the display of a thumbnail image corresponding to that item of
recorded information which has been erased (step S33).
[0096] If the above processing has not been completed with respect
to all of the objects to be erased (if NO is obtained in step S34),
the microcomputer 15 returns to step S29 and repeats the
above-described operations.
[0097] If the processing has been completed with respect to all of
the objects to be erased (if YES is obtained in step S34), the
microcomputer 15 finishes the operations of the erase mode.
[0098] In the electronic camera 11 of the present embodiment, which
operates as explained above, the PC icon 52 or telephone icon 51 is
displayed in association with each item of recorded information
that has been transferred.
[0099] Accordingly, the operator need not remember or write down
whether items of recorded information have been transferred.
[0100] Also, in the electronic camera 11 of the present invention,
the PC icon 52 or telephone icon 51 is added for display each time
the transfer of one item of recorded information is completed. By
observing changes in the informative indications, the operator is
able to determine how far the transfer processing has
proceeded.
[0101] FIG. 8 shows liquid crystal display 19 when the transfer
processing is terminated due to occurrence of an error or
abnormality. This display shows that an error occurred during the
transfer of first to sixth items of recorded information, in
increasing numerical order, through a telephone line, and that the
processing was terminated during transfer of the fifth item of
recorded information. Note that telephone icons 51 are affixed to
and displayed along with the first to fourth items of the recorded
information, and therefore, the operator is appropriately informed
of the fact that the fifth and following items were not
transferred. In subsequent transfer processing, the operator can
resume transfer with respect to the remaining fifth and sixth
items, without transferring the same data twice, thus assuring high
efficiency.
[0102] In the electronic camera 11 of the present embodiment, the
telephone icon 51 is affixed to and displayed along with each item
of recorded information transferred through a telephone line, and
the PC icon 52 is affixed to and displayed along with each item of
recorded information that was transferred without passing through
the telephone line.
[0103] The recorded information to which a telephone icon 51 is
affixed is often transferred with no assurance that a backup copy
of the transferred information exists.
[0104] The recorded information to which a PC icon 52 is affixed,
on the other hand, is often transferred to a computer, a backup
apparatus or a printing apparatus, and there is a high probability
that a backup or printed copy of the information exists
separately.
[0105] Thus, the operator can distinguish the items of recorded
information accompanied only by the telephone icons 51 from others
on the liquid crystal display 19, and can determine carefully
whether items of recorded information shall be erased.
[0106] Similarly, the operator can distinguish items of recorded
information accompanied by the PC icons 52 from others on the
liquid crystal display 19, and can promptly select items of
information as objects to be erased.
[0107] Further, the electronic camera 11 of the present embodiment
is provided with an automatic selecting function for automatically
selecting items of recorded information to which a PC icon 52 is
affixed as an object to be erased, as shown in step S26 of FIG. 7.
This function makes it possible to automatically select and erase
an item of recorded information for which a backup or printed copy
is highly likely to exist. Thus, recorded information can be erased
with significantly improved efficiency.
[0108] While plural thumbnail images are arranged and displayed on
the liquid crystal display 19 in the present embodiment, the
present invention is not limited to this mode. For example, a
single item of recorded information may be displayed over the
entire area of the liquid crystal display 19, as shown in FIG. 9.
In this case, the operator is able to look at a selected or desired
item of recorded information by feeding recorded information one
frame after another by use of the selection switches 35, 36.
Simultaneous with the display of each item, the PC icon 52 or
telephone icon 51 may be displayed in a part of the screen, so as
to provide an informative indication that the displayed item of
information has been transferred.
[0109] While the PC icon 52 and telephone icon 51 are selectively
displayed depending upon the transfer form selected for data
transfer in the present embodiment, the present invention is not
limited to this arrangement. The display mode of such indications
informing the transfer form may be changed depending, e.g., upon
the destination to which the recorded information was transferred.
When the data transfer is performed through a telephone line, for
example, the informative indications displayed may be changed
depending upon the dialed terminal number. Where the data transfer
is performed through an interface 16 such as a universal serial bus
(USB), the informative indications displayed may be changed for
each ID number representing a receiver that answered the call. With
such informative indications provided, the operator is
appropriately informed of the destination of transfer of each item
of recorded information, and is able to effectively utilize the
destination as a criterion for determining whether the relevant
item of information is to be erased or not.
[0110] While the telephone line is listed as one type of a
communication line in the present embodiment, the present invention
is not limited to this type. Generally, communication lines may
include communication networks, such as INTERNET, or radio
communication networks.
[0111] Although the electronic camera 11 has an erasing function in
the present embodiment, the present invention is not limited to
this arrangement. Generally, the informative indication of transfer
form according to the present invention is useful for electronic
cameras having no erasing function. Where data on the memory card
21 is erased on a separate apparatus, for example, an object(s) to
be erased can be appropriately selected referring to the
informative indication(s) provided on the electronic camera.
[0112] While the informative indications are displayed in the form
of telephone icons 51 and PC icons 52 in the illustrated
embodiment, the present invention is not limited to these types of
indications. For example, the indications informing the transfer
form may be provided using different forms of displaying frames of
thumbnail images, different colors of the frames, characters,
symbols and others.
[0113] When the same recorded information is transferred to the
external equipment a plurality of times in the illustrated
embodiment, an indication may be provided which permits the number
of transfers to be identified. For example, the same number of
icons as the number of transfers may be displayed, or the number of
transfers may be displayed in the middle of the corresponding icon.
With such indications thus provided, the operator is appropriately
informed of the number of transfers of the recorded information,
and is able to effectively use it as a criterion when determining
whether the information has been transferred to all the locations
to which it should be transferred.
[0114] Although the electronic camera 11 transfers recorded
information from the memory card 21 in the illustrated embodiment,
items of information may be transferred directly from an
information obtaining means. See FIG. 1.
[0115] Although the electronic camera 11 picks up and records image
data in the illustrated embodiment, other data such as voice data
may also be processed. With respect to record information
consisting solely of voice information, thumbnail images may be
produced by combining a picture display, such as a tone symbol, and
a character display representing reproduction time, for example.
The voice data may be picked up using an external microphone. See
the dashed arrows in FIG. 1.
[0116] Although the electronic camera 11 inputs image data from an
image pick-up device, picture or voice data to be processed may be
input directly from an external input terminal. See the dashed
arrows in FIG. 1.
[0117] Although the electronic camera 11 can automatically erase
items of recorded data that have been transferred, the electronic
camera could prevent data from being erased, or display a specific
appropriate warning, so as to inhibit inadvertent erasing of
non-transferred items and items that were transferred in an
insecure manner.
[0118] While preferred implementations of the invention have been
shown and described, it will be apparent to those skilled in the
art that changes can be made in these implementations without
departing from the principles and spirit of the invention, the
scope of which is defined by the appended claims.
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