U.S. patent application number 12/382353 was filed with the patent office on 2009-09-24 for image saving apparatus, image transfer apparatus and image transmission apparatus.
This patent application is currently assigned to NIKON CORPORATION. Invention is credited to Nobuhiro Hayashi, Hiromi Kuwata, Atsushi Ohori.
Application Number | 20090237513 12/382353 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 41088474 |
Filed Date | 2009-09-24 |
United States Patent
Application |
20090237513 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Kuwata; Hiromi ; et
al. |
September 24, 2009 |
Image saving apparatus, image transfer apparatus and image
transmission apparatus
Abstract
An image transfer system configured with an image transmission
apparatus, an image transfer apparatus and the image saving
apparatus. The image transmission apparatus transmits image data
recorded in a storage medium to the image transfer apparatus. The
image transfer apparatus receives the image data, records the image
data into a first storage device and transfers the image data to
the image saving apparatus in response to a request issued from the
image saving apparatus. The image saving apparatus receives the
image data and records the image data into a second storage device.
The image saving apparatus includes: the second storage device; a
communication unit; a recording control unit for controlling
read/write of management information; a request receiving unit from
a user; a decision-making unit as to whether or not target image
data are recorded; an image requesting unit for the target image
data; and an image recording unit.
Inventors: |
Kuwata; Hiromi; (Chiba-shi,
JP) ; Hayashi; Nobuhiro; (Tokyo, JP) ; Ohori;
Atsushi; (Kawasaki-shi, JP) |
Correspondence
Address: |
OLIFF & BERRIDGE, PLC
P.O. BOX 320850
ALEXANDRIA
VA
22320-4850
US
|
Assignee: |
NIKON CORPORATION
Tokyo
JP
|
Family ID: |
41088474 |
Appl. No.: |
12/382353 |
Filed: |
March 13, 2009 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
348/207.1 ;
348/E5.024 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H04N 2201/3226 20130101;
H04N 2201/325 20130101; H04N 2201/3278 20130101; H04N 1/00241
20130101; H04N 2201/0084 20130101; H04N 2201/0055 20130101; H04N
5/225 20130101; H04N 2201/0049 20130101; H04N 1/00236 20130101;
H04N 1/32106 20130101; H04N 2201/3273 20130101; H04N 2201/0015
20130101; H04N 2201/3274 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
348/207.1 ;
348/E05.024 |
International
Class: |
H04N 5/225 20060101
H04N005/225 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Mar 18, 2008 |
JP |
2008-069448 |
Feb 26, 2009 |
JP |
2009-044307 |
Claims
1. An image saving apparatus in an image transfer system configured
with an image transmission apparatus, an image transfer apparatus
and the image saving apparatus, wherein: the image transmission
apparatus transmits image data recorded in a storage medium to the
image transfer apparatus, the image transfer apparatus receives the
image data transmitted from the image transmission apparatus,
records the image data into a first storage device and transfers
the image data to the image saving apparatus in response to a
request issued from the image saving apparatus, and the image
saving apparatus receives the image data transmitted from the image
transfer apparatus and records the image data into a second storage
device; and the image saving apparatus, comprising: the second
storage device; a communication unit engaged in communication with
the image transfer apparatus; a recording control unit for
controlling read and write at the second storage device of
management information indicating whether or not each set of image
data is recorded in the storage medium and in the first storage
device; a request receiving unit for receiving an image transfer
request from a user; a decision-making unit for making a decision
as to whether or not target image data, a request for which has
been received at the request receiving unit, are recorded in the
first storage device by referencing the management information read
via the recording control unit; an image requesting unit for
issuing a transmission request for the target image data to the
image transfer apparatus via the communication unit if the
decision-making unit determines that the target image data are
recorded in the first storage device, and issuing a transmission
request for the target image data to the image transmission
apparatus via the image transfer apparatus engaged in communication
with the communication unit if the decision-making unit determines
that the target image data are not recorded in the first storage
device; and an image recording unit for recording image data
received via the communication unit based upon a request issued by
the image requesting unit into the second storage device.
2. An image transfer apparatus in an image transfer system
configured with an image transmission apparatus, the image transfer
apparatus and an image saving apparatus, wherein: the image
transmission apparatus transmits image data recorded in a storage
medium to the image transfer apparatus, the image transfer
apparatus receives the image data transmitted from the image
transmission apparatus, records the image data into a first storage
device and transfers the image data to the image saving apparatus
in response to a request issued from the image saving apparatus,
and the image saving apparatus receives the image data transmitted
from the image transfer apparatus and records the image data into a
second storage device; and the image transfer apparatus,
comprising: the first storage device; a first communication unit
engaged in communication with the image transmission apparatus; a
second communication unit engaged in communication with the image
saving apparatus; an image data recording control unit for
recording image data received from the image transmission apparatus
via the first communication unit into the first storage device; a
recording control unit for controlling read and write at the first
storage device of management information indicating whether or not
each set of image data is recorded in the storage medium and in the
first storage device; a request receiving unit for receiving an
image data transmission request from the image saving apparatus via
the second communication unit; a decision-making unit for making a
decision as to whether or not target image data, a request for
which has been received at the request receiving unit, are recorded
in the first storage device by referencing the management
information read via the recording control unit; and an image
transmission unit for reading out the target image data from the
first storage device and transmitting the target image data to the
image saving apparatus via the second communication unit if the
decision-making unit determines that the target image data are
recorded in the first storage device, and issuing a transmission
request for the target image data to the image transmission
apparatus via the first communication unit and transmitting the
image data received from the image transmission apparatus to the
image saving transmission apparatus via the second communication
unit if the decision-making unit determines that the target image
data are not recorded in the first storage device.
3. An image transmission apparatus in an image transfer system
configured with the image transmission apparatus, an image transfer
apparatus and an image saving apparatus, wherein: the image
transmission apparatus transmits image data recorded in a storage
medium to the image transfer apparatus, the image transfer
apparatus receives the image data transmitted from the image
transmission apparatus, records the image data into a first storage
device and transfers the image data to the image saving apparatus
in response to a request issued from the image saving apparatus,
and the image saving apparatus receives the image data transmitted
from the image transfer apparatus and records the image data into a
second storage device; and the image transmission apparatus,
comprising: a communication unit engaged in communication with the
image transfer apparatus; an image transmission unit for
transmitting image data recorded in the storage medium to the image
transfer apparatus via the communication unit; a recording control
unit for controlling read and write at the storage medium of
management information indicating whether or not each set of image
data is recorded in the storage medium and in the first storage
device; a request receiving unit for receiving an image data
transmission request issued from the image saving apparatus via the
image transfer apparatus engaged in communication with the
communication unit; a decision-making unit for making a decision as
to whether or not target image data, a request for which has been
received at the request receiving unit, are recorded in the first
storage device by referencing the management information read via
the recording control unit; and an image providing unit for issuing
a transmission instruction to the image transfer apparatus via the
communication unit for transmitting the target image data to the
image saving apparatus if the decision-making unit determines that
the target image data are recorded in the first storage device, and
reading out the target image data from the storage medium and
transmitting the target image data to the image saving apparatus
via the image transfer apparatus engaged in communication with the
communication unit if the decision-making unit determines that the
target image data are not recorded in the first storage device.
4. An image saving apparatus according to claim 1, wherein: if an
available capacity at the first storage device is less than a data
size of image data transmitted from the image transmission
apparatus, the image transfer apparatus deletes at least one set of
image data recorded in the first storage device so as to secure
within the first storage device sufficient memory space
corresponding to the data size.
5. An image transfer apparatus according to claim 2, further
comprising: an available capacity decision-making unit for making a
decision upon receiving image data from the image transmission
apparatus as to whether or not an available capacity at the first
storage device is equal to or greater than a data size of the image
data received from the image transmission apparatus; and a deleting
unit for deleting at least one set of image data recorded in the
first storage device so as to secure within the first storage
device sufficient memory space corresponding to the data size if
the available capacity decision-making unit determines that the
available capacity is less than the data size.
6. An image transmission apparatus according to claim 3, wherein:
if an available capacity at the first storage device is less than a
data size of image data transmitted from the image transmission
apparatus, the image transfer apparatus deletes at least one set of
image data recorded in the first storage device so as to secure
within the first storage device sufficient memory space
corresponding to the data size.
7. An image saving apparatus according to claim 1, further
comprising: a display unit for displaying a view of display images,
each being a display image generated based upon image data and
received from the image transfer apparatus; an image presence
decision-making unit for making a decision by referencing the
management information read via the recording control unit as to
whether or not corresponding image data corresponding to the
display image displayed at the display unit are recorded in the
storage medium and in the first storage device; and an erasing unit
for erasing the display image, from the view, related to the
corresponding image data determined by the image presence
decision-making unit to be not present in the recording medium or
in the first storage device.
8. An image transfer apparatus according to claim 2, engaged in
operation in conjunction with the image saving apparatus, at which
a view of display images, each being a display image generated
based upon image data and received from the image transfer
apparatus, is displayed, further comprising: an image presence
decision-making unit for making a decision by referencing the
management information read via the recording control unit when
image data have been deleted from the first storage device as to
whether or not image data identical to the deleted image data are
recorded in the storage medium; and an erasure instruction unit for
issuing an erase instruction to the image saving apparatus for
erasing the display image corresponding to the deleted image data
if the image presence decision-making unit determines that image
data identical to the deleted image data are not recorded in the
storage medium.
9. An image transmission apparatus according to claim 3, engaged in
operation in conjunction with the image saving apparatus, at which
a view of display, each being a display image generated based upon
image data and received from the image transfer apparatus, is
displayed, further comprising: an image presence decision-making
unit for making a decision by referencing the management
information read via the recording control unit when image data
have been deleted from the storage medium as to whether or not
image data identical to the deleted image data are recorded in the
first storage device; and an erasure instruction unit for issuing
an erase instruction to the image saving apparatus for erasing a
display image corresponding to the deleted image data if the image
presence decision-making unit determines that image data identical
to the deleted image data are not recorded in the first storage
device.
10. An image saving apparatus according to claim 1, further
comprising: an updating unit for updating the management
information if image data are added to the storage medium, if image
data are added to the first storage device, if image data are
deleted from the storage medium, if image data are deleted from the
first storage device, if the storage medium is initialized, if the
first storage device is initialized or if the storage medium is
disengaged from the image transmission apparatus.
11. An image transfer apparatus according to claim 2, further
comprising: an updating unit for updating the management
information if image data are added to the storage medium, if image
data are added to the first storage device, if image data are
deleted from the storage medium, if image data are deleted from the
first storage device, if the storage medium is initialized, if the
first storage device is initialized or if the storage medium is
disengaged from the image transmission apparatus.
12. An image transmission apparatus according to claim 3, further
comprising: an updating unit for updating the management
information if image data are added to the storage medium, if image
data are added to the first storage device, if image data are
deleted from the storage medium, if image data are deleted from the
first storage device, if the storage medium is initialized, if the
first storage device is initialized or if the storage medium is
disengaged from the image transmission apparatus.
13. An image saving apparatus according to claim 7, further
comprising: an updating unit for updating the management
information when the image saving apparatus receives list data
listing the image data stored in the first storage device.
14. An image saving apparatus according to claim 13, wherein:
following an update of the management information, if the image
presence decision making unit determines, based upon the management
information that the corresponding image data are recorded in at
least either the storage medium or the first storage device and the
display image for the corresponding image data is not displayed in
the view, the display unit receives the display image from the
image transfer apparatus and displays the display image in the
view.
15. An image transfer apparatus according to claim 2, wherein:
following an interruption in communication via the second
communication unit, if an available capacity at the first storage
device is less than a data size of image data transmitted by the
image transmission apparatus, the image data recording control unit
aborts recording of the image data received from the image
transmission apparatus via the first communication unit into the
first storage device.
16. An image transmission apparatus according to claim 3, wherein:
based upon an image data transmission prohibition notice issued
from the image transfer apparatus, the image transmission unit
prohibits transmission of image data recorded in the storage medium
to the image transfer apparatus via the communication unit.
Description
INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE
[0001] The disclosure of the following priority application is
herein incorporated by reference: Japanese Patent Application No.
2008-069448 filed Mar. 18, 2008, and Japanese Patent Application
No. 2009-044307 filed Feb. 26, 2009.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] The present invention relates to an image saving apparatus,
an image transfer apparatus and an image transmission
apparatus.
[0004] 2. Description of Related Art
[0005] The camera disclosed in Japanese Laid Open Patent
Publication No. 2006-80860 transmits reduced image data generated
to express a reduced image based upon a main image to another
device before transmitting the main image.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] While the camera in the related art may be included in a
configuration with a transfer apparatus equipped with a storage
device where image data transmitted from the camera are recorded,
installed between the camera and the other device and image data
may be transmitted from the transfer apparatus to the device in
response to an image transfer request issued from the device, a
viable transfer method that may be adopted when there are no image
data in the storage device at the transfer apparatus is yet to be
proposed.
[0007] According to the 1st aspect of the present invention, in an
image transfer system configured with an image transmission
apparatus, an image transfer apparatus and the image saving
apparatus, an image transmission apparatus transmits image data
recorded in a storage medium to the image transfer apparatus, the
image transfer apparatus receives the image data transmitted from
the image transmission apparatus, records the image data into a
first storage device and transfers the image data to the image
saving apparatus in response to a request issued from the image
saving apparatus, and the image saving apparatus receives the image
data transmitted from the image transfer apparatus and records the
image data into a second storage device; the image saving apparatus
comprises the second storage device; a communication unit engaged
in communication with the image transfer apparatus; a recording
control unit for controlling read and write at the second storage
device of management information indicating whether or not each set
of image data is recorded in the storage medium and in the first
storage device; a request receiving unit for receiving an image
transfer request from a user; a decision-making unit for making a
decision as to whether or not target image data, a request for
which has been received at the request receiving unit, are recorded
in the first storage device by referencing the management
information read via the recording control unit; an image
requesting unit for issuing a transmission request for the target
image data to the image transfer apparatus via the communication
unit if the decision-making unit determines that the target image
data are recorded in the first storage device, and issuing a
transmission request for the target image data to the image
transmission apparatus via the image transfer apparatus engaged in
communication with the communication unit if the decision-making
unit determines that the target image data are not recorded in the
first storage device; and an image recording unit for recording
image data received via the communication unit based upon a request
issued by the image requesting unit into the second storage
device.
[0008] According to the 2nd aspect of the present invention, in an
image transfer system configured with an image transmission
apparatus, an image transfer apparatus and an image saving
apparatus, the image transmission apparatus transmits image data
recorded in a storage medium to the image transfer apparatus, the
image transfer apparatus receives the image data transmitted from
the image transmission apparatus, records the image data into a
first storage device and transfers the image data to the image
saving apparatus in response to a request issued from the image
saving apparatus, and the image saving apparatus receives the image
data transmitted from the image transfer apparatus and records the
image data into a second storage device; the image transfer
apparatus comprises: the first storage device; a first
communication unit engaged in communication with the image
transmission apparatus; a second communication unit engaged in
communication with the image saving apparatus; an image data
recording control unit for recording image data received from the
image transmission apparatus via the first communication unit into
the first storage device; a recording control unit for controlling
read and write at the first storage device of management
information indicating whether or not each set of image data is
recorded in the storage medium and in the first storage device; a
request receiving unit for receiving an image data transmission
request from the image saving apparatus via the second
communication unit; a decision-making unit for making a decision as
to whether or not target image data, a request for which has been
received at the request receiving unit, are recorded in the first
storage device by referencing the management information read via
the recording control unit; and an image transmission unit for
reading out the target image data from the first storage device and
transmitting the target image data to the image saving apparatus
via the second communication unit if the decision-making unit
determines that the target image data are recorded in the first
storage device, and issuing a transmission request for the target
image data to the image transmission apparatus via the first
communication unit and transmitting the image data received from
the image transmission apparatus to the image saving transmission
apparatus via the second communication unit if the decision-making
unit determines that the target image data are not recorded in the
first storage device.
[0009] According to the 3rd aspect of the present invention, in an
image transfer system configured with an image transmission
apparatus, an image transfer apparatus and an image saving
apparatus, the image transmission apparatus transmits image data
recorded in a storage medium to the image transfer apparatus, the
image transfer apparatus receives the image data transmitted from
the image transmission apparatus, records the image data into a
first storage device and transfers the image data to the image
saving apparatus in response to a request issued from the image
saving apparatus, and the image saving apparatus receives the image
data transmitted from the image transfer apparatus and records the
image data into a second storage device; the image transmission
apparatus comprises: a communication unit engaged in communication
with the image transfer apparatus; an image transmission unit for
transmitting image data recorded in the storage medium to the image
transfer apparatus via the communication unit; a recording control
unit for controlling read and write at the storage medium of
management information indicating whether or not each set of image
data is recorded in the storage medium and in the first storage
device; a request receiving unit for receiving an image data
transmission request issued from the image saving apparatus via the
image transfer apparatus engaged in communication with the
communication unit; a decision-making unit for making a decision as
to whether or not target image data, a request for which has been
received at the request receiving unit, are recorded in the first
storage device by referencing the management information read via
the recording control unit; and an image providing unit for issuing
a transmission instruction to the image transfer apparatus via the
communication unit for transmitting the target image data to the
image saving apparatus if the decision-making unit determines that
the target image data are recorded in the first storage device, and
reading out the target image data from the storage medium and
transmitting the target image data to the image saving apparatus
via the image transfer apparatus engaged in communication with the
communication unit if the decision-making unit determines that the
target image data are not recorded in the first storage device.
[0010] According to the 4th aspect of the present invention, in an
image saving apparatus according to the 1st aspect, it is preferred
that if an available capacity at the first storage device is less
than a data size of image data transmitted from the image
transmission apparatus, the image transfer apparatus deletes at
least one set of image data recorded in the first storage device so
as to secure within the first storage device sufficient memory
space corresponding to the data size.
[0011] According to the 5th aspect of the present invention, in an
image transfer apparatus according to the 2nd aspect, it is
preferred that the image transfer apparatus further comprises: an
available capacity decision-making unit for making a decision upon
receiving image data from the image transmission apparatus as to
whether or not an available capacity at the first storage device is
equal to or greater than a data size of the image data received
from the image transmission apparatus; and a deleting unit for
deleting at least one set of image data recorded in the first
storage device so as to secure within the first storage device
sufficient memory space corresponding to the data size if the
available capacity decision-making unit determines that the
available capacity is less than the data size.
[0012] According to the 6th aspect of the present invention, in an
image transmission apparatus according to the 3rd aspect, it is
preferred that if an available capacity at the first storage device
is less than a data size of image data transmitted from the image
transmission apparatus, the image transfer apparatus deletes at
least one set of image data recorded in the first storage device so
as to secure within the first storage device sufficient memory
space corresponding to the data size.
[0013] According to the 7th aspect of the present invention, in an
image saving apparatus according to the 1st aspect, it is preferred
that the image saving apparatus further comprises: a display unit
for displaying a view of display images, each being a display image
generated based upon image data and received from the image
transfer apparatus; an image presence decision-making unit for
making a decision by referencing the management information read
via the recording control unit as to whether or not corresponding
image data corresponding to the display image displayed at the
display unit are recorded in the storage medium and in the first
storage device; and an erasing unit for erasing the display image,
from the view, related to the corresponding image data determined
by the image presence decision-making unit to be not present in the
recording medium or in the first storage device.
[0014] According to the 8th aspect of the present invention, in an
image transfer apparatus according to the 2nd aspect, engaged in
operation in conjunction with the image saving apparatus, at which
a view of display images, each being a display image generated
based upon image data and received from the image transfer
apparatus, is displayed, it is preferred that the image transfer
apparatus further comprises: an image presence decision-making unit
for making a decision by referencing the management information
read via the recording control unit when image data have been
deleted from the first storage device as to whether or not image
data identical to the deleted image data are recorded in the
storage medium; and an erasure instruction unit for issuing an
erase instruction to the image saving apparatus for erasing the
display image corresponding to the deleted image data if the image
presence decision-making unit determines that image data identical
to the deleted image data are not recorded in the storage
medium.
[0015] According to the 9th aspect of the present invention, in an
image transmission apparatus according to the 3rd aspect, engaged
in operation in conjunction with the image saving apparatus, at
which a view of display, each being a display image generated based
upon image data and received from the image transfer apparatus, is
displayed, it is preferred that the image transmission apparatus
further comprises: an image presence decision-making unit for
making a decision by referencing the management information read
via the recording control unit when image data have been deleted
from the storage medium as to whether or not image data identical
to the deleted image data are recorded in the first storage device;
and an erasure instruction unit for issuing an erase instruction to
the image saving apparatus for erasing a display image
corresponding to the deleted image data if the image presence
decision-making unit determines that image data identical to the
deleted image data are not recorded in the first storage
device.
[0016] According to the 10th aspect of the present invention, in an
image saving apparatus according to the 1st aspect, it is preferred
that the image saving apparatus further comprises: an updating unit
for updating the management information if image data are added to
the storage medium, if image data are added to the first storage
device, if image data are deleted from the storage medium, if image
data are deleted from the first storage device, if the storage
medium is initialized, if the first storage device is initialized
or if the storage medium is disengaged from the image transmission
apparatus.
[0017] According to the 11th aspect of the present invention, in an
image transfer apparatus according to the 2nd aspect, it is
preferred that the image transfer apparatus further comprises: an
updating unit for updating the management information if image data
are added to the storage medium, if image data are added to the
first storage device, if image data are deleted from the storage
medium, if image data are deleted from the first storage device, if
the storage medium is initialized, if the first storage device is
initialized or if the storage medium is disengaged from the image
transmission apparatus.
[0018] According to the 12th aspect of the present invention, in an
image transmission apparatus according to the 3rd aspect, it is
preferred that the image transmission apparatus further comprises:
an updating unit for updating the management information if image
data are added to the storage medium, if image data are added to
the first storage device, if image data are deleted from the
storage medium, if image data are deleted from the first storage
device, if the storage medium is initialized, if the first storage
device is initialized or if the storage medium is disengaged from
the image transmission apparatus.
[0019] According to the 13th aspect of the present invention, in an
image saving apparatus according to the 7th aspect, it is preferred
that the image saving apparatus further comprises: an updating unit
for updating the management information when the image saving
apparatus receives list data listing the image data stored in the
first storage device.
[0020] According to the 14th aspect of the present invention, in an
image saving apparatus according to the 13th aspect, it is
preferred that following an update of the management information,
if the image presence decision making unit determines, based upon
the management information that the corresponding image data are
recorded in at least either the storage medium or the first storage
device and the display image for the corresponding image data is
not displayed in the view, the display unit receives the display
image from the image transfer apparatus and displays the display
image in the view.
[0021] According to the 15th aspect of the present invention, in an
image transfer apparatus according to the 2nd aspect, it is
preferred that following an interruption in communication via the
second communication unit, if an available capacity at the first
storage device is less than a data size of image data transmitted
by the image transmission apparatus, the image data recording
control unit aborts recording of the image data received from the
image transmission apparatus via the first communication unit into
the first storage device.
[0022] According to the 16th aspect of the present invention, in an
image transmission apparatus according to the 3rd aspect, it is
preferred that based upon an image data transmission prohibition
notice issued from the image transfer apparatus, the image
transmission unit prohibits transmission of image data recorded in
the storage medium to the image transfer apparatus via the
communication unit.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0023] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the structure adopted in
the image transfer system achieved in an embodiment;
[0024] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a structure that may be
adopted in a camera 200 in the embodiment;
[0025] FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a structure that may be
adopted in a wireless transmitter 300 in the embodiment;
[0026] FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the structure that may be
adopted in a personal computer 400 in the embodiment;
[0027] FIG. 5 presents a specific example of the management
database;
[0028] FIG. 6 presents a flowchart of the processing executed as an
image is photographed with a camera 200 in a first embodiment;
[0029] FIG. 7 presents a flowchart of the processing executed as
the flash memory 305 in the wireless transmitter 300 is initialized
in the first embodiment;
[0030] FIG. 8 presents a flowchart of the processing executed as a
memory card 205a in the camera 200 is initialized or as the memory
card 205a is unloaded from the memory card slot 205 in the first
embodiment;
[0031] FIG. 9 presents a flowchart of the processing executed as
one of the image files in the memory card 205a in the camera 200 is
deleted in the first embodiment;
[0032] FIG. 10 presents a flowchart of the processing executed as
the user issues an image file transfer request at the personal
computer 400 in the first embodiment;
[0033] FIG. 11 presents a flowchart of the processing executed as
an image is photographed with the camera 200 in a second
embodiment;
[0034] FIG. 12 presents a flowchart of the processing executed as
the flash memory 305 in the wireless transmitter 300 is initialized
in the second embodiment;
[0035] FIG. 13 presents a flowchart of the processing executed as a
memory card 205a in the camera 200 is initialized or as the memory
card 205a is unloaded from the memory card slot 205 in the second
embodiment;
[0036] FIG. 14 presents a flowchart of the processing executed as
one of the image files in the memory card 205a in the camera 200 is
deleted in the second embodiment;
[0037] FIG. 15 presents a flowchart of the processing executed as
the user issues an image file transfer request at the personal
computer 400 in the second embodiment;
[0038] FIG. 16 presents a flowchart of the processing executed as
an image is photographed with the camera 200 in a third
embodiment;
[0039] FIG. 17 presents a flowchart of the processing executed as
the flash memory 305 in the wireless transmitter 300 is initialized
in the third embodiment;
[0040] FIG. 18 presents a flowchart of the processing executed as a
memory card 205a in the camera 200 is initialized or as the memory
card 205a is unloaded from the memory card slot 205 in the third
embodiment;
[0041] FIG. 19 presents a flowchart of the processing executed as
one of the image files in the memory card 205a in the camera 200 is
deleted in the third embodiment;
[0042] FIG. 20 presents a flowchart of the processing executed as
the user issues an image file transfer request at the personal
computer 400 in the third embodiment;
[0043] FIG. 21 presents a flowchart of the list data acquisition
processing through which the personal computer 400 obtains list
data listing the image files stored in the wireless transmitter 300
and in the camera 200, executed in a variation;
[0044] FIG. 22 presents a flowchart of the update processing
executed by the CPU 405 in the personal computer 400 to update the
thumbnail image display in the variation;
[0045] FIG. 23 presents a flowchart of the processing in a
variation executed in the camera 200 and the wireless transmitter
300 in response to a photographing operation executed at the camera
200 while communication between the personal computer 400 and the
wireless transmitter 300 is not established;
[0046] FIG. 24 presents a flowchart of the processing in a
variation executed in the camera 200 and the wireless transmitter
300 in response to initialization of the flash memory 305 in the
wireless transmitter 300 while communication between the personal
computer 400 and the wireless transmitter 300 is not
established;
[0047] FIG. 25 presents a flowchart of the processing in a
variation executed in the camera 200 and the wireless transmitter
300 in response to initialization of the memory card 205a in the
camera 200, in response to disengagement of the memory card 205a
from the memory card slot 205 at the camera 200 or in response to
deletion of one of the image files in the memory card 205a in the
camera 200 while communication between the personal computer 400
and the wireless transmitter 300 not established;
[0048] FIG. 26 presents a flowchart of the processing executed in a
variation in the personal computer 400 in response to a
photographing operation executed at the camera 200 while
communication between the personal computer 400 and the wireless
transmitter 300 is not established; and
[0049] FIG. 27 presents a flowchart of the processing executed in
the camera 200 and the wireless transmitter 300 in response to a
photographing operation executed at the camera 200 while
communication between the personal computer 400 and the wireless
transmitter 300 is not established.
DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
First Embodiment
[0050] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the structure that may be
adopted in the image transfer system achieved in the first
environment. The image transfer system 100 includes cameras 200,
wireless transmitters 300 and a personal computer 400. It is to be
noted that in image transfer system 100, the cameras function as an
image transmission apparatus that transmits an image file obtained
by photographing an image to the personal computer 400 via the
corresponding wireless transmitter 300. The wireless transmitter
300 functions as an image transfer apparatus, i.e., a relay device
via which the image file originating from the camera 200 is
transmitted to the personal computer 400. In addition, the personal
computer 400 functions as an image saving apparatus where the image
file, having been received via the wireless transmitter 300, is
recorded.
[0051] The camera 200 and the wireless transmitter 300 are
connected with each other via the respective interface units
through which their connection is established. Each time a
photographing operation is executed in the camera 200, the
resulting image file is transferred to the wireless transmitter 300
where it is recorded into a storage medium installed in the
wireless transmitter 300.
[0052] The wireless transmitter 300 and the personal computer 400
are connected with each other either wirelessly or through a wired
connection. For instance, the wireless transmitter 300 may include
a wireless module that allows it to connect with a wireless LAN and
a LAN interface to which a LAN cable is connected. Such a wireless
transmitter 300 and the personal computer 400 may be connected with
each other through a wireless LAN or a wired LAN. The user starts
up a dedicated image transfer application program on the personal
computer 400 to see a view of thumbnail images corresponding to
images recorded in the storage medium in the wireless transmitter
300, select a specific thumbnail image in the view of thumbnail
images, obtain the image file corresponding to the thumbnail image
and the like.
[0053] As shown in FIG. 1, the personal computer 400 is capable of
simultaneously communicating with a plurality of wireless
transmitters 300. A limit may be set to the number of wireless
transmitters 300 with which the personal computer is allowed to
communicate at once and the personal computer 400 in the embodiment
is allowed to simultaneously communicate with, for instance, five
wireless transmitters 300 either wirelessly or through wired
communication. In the example presented in FIG. 1, the personal
computer 480 is in wireless communication with the wireless
transmitters 300 connected to cameras 1.about.4, where it is also
engaged in wired communication with the wireless transmitter 300
connected to a camera 5.
[0054] In addition, the personal computer 400 is capable of
directly communicating with a given camera 200 instead of
communicating via a wireless transmitter 300. Such direct
communication with a camera 200 may be enabled via, for instance, a
USB cable connecting the personal computer 400 with the camera 200.
In the example presented in FIG. 1, the personal computer 400 is
engaged in direct communication with a camera 6.
[0055] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a structure that may be
adopted in the cameras 200 in the embodiment. The camera 200 in
FIG. 2 includes a lens 201, an image sensor 202, an AFE (analog
front end) circuit 203, an image processing circuit 204, a memory
card slot 205, an SDRAM 206, a flash memory 207, a CPU 208, an
operation member 209, a monitor 210 and a connector I/F 211.
[0056] A control program recorded in the flash memory 207 is read
into the SDRAM 206 and executed in the SDRAM 206 by the CPU 208 so
as to control the overall operation of the camera 200. It is to be
noted that the SDRAM 206, which is a volatile memory, is utilized
as a work memory by the program during program execution by the CPU
208 or as a buffer memory where data are temporarily recorded. In
the flash memory 207 constituted with a non-volatile memory, data
related to the program executed by the CPU 208, various parameters
which are read for the program execution and the like are
recorded.
[0057] The lens 201 is constituted with a plurality of optical
lenses and a subject image is formed onto the image sensor 202 via
the group of lenses. The image sensor 202 may be a CCD image sensor
or a CMOS image sensor that executes photoelectric conversion on
the subject image to generate analog image signals and outputs the
analog image signals thus generated to the AFE circuit 203.
[0058] The AFE circuit 203 executes gain adjustment, such as signal
amplification corresponding to a selected ISO speed (ISO
sensitivity) setting, on the analog image signals. The analog image
signals are then converted to digital image data in an A/D
conversion circuit built into the AFE circuit 203 and the digital
image data resulting from the conversion are output from the AFE
circuit to the image processing circuit 204.
[0059] The image processing circuit 204 executes various types of
image processing, e.g., color interpolation processing, gradation
conversion processing, edge emphasis processing and white balance
adjustment processing on the digital image data and the image data
having undergone the image processing (hereafter simply referred to
as "image data") are output from the image processing circuit to
the SDRAM 206 functioning as a buffer memory.
[0060] The CPU 208 reduces the image data recorded in the SDRAM 206
and generates thumbnail image data. The CPU 208 then generates an
image file containing the image data and the thumbnail image data.
The CPU 208 records the image file into the flash memory 208 used
as the internal memory or into a memory card 205a loaded into the
memory card slot 205 and used as an external memory. It is to be
noted that the memory card slot 205 includes a slot portion where
the memory card 205a used as the external memory is inserted and an
image file is written into the memory card 205a or an image file is
read out from the memory card 205a via the memory card slot 205 in
response to an instruction issued from the CPU 208.
[0061] The operation member 209 includes various types of operation
members operated by the user, such as a power button, a shutter
release button, a zoom button, a cross key, and a confirm button.
The monitor 210 is a liquid crystal monitor (back side monitor)
mounted at the rear of the camera 200. The CPU 208 outputs
information such as an image file stored in the memory card 205a or
a setting menu to the monitor 210 so as to bring up on display at
the monitor 210 the image or the setting menu in which settings for
the camera 200 can be selected. The connector I/F 211 is an
interface unit via which the camera 200 is connected with the
wireless transmitter 300 as described earlier.
[0062] FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a structure that may be
adopted in the wireless transmitter 300 in the embodiment. The
wireless transmitter 300 comprises a camera connector I/F 301, a
LAN I/F 302, a wireless module 303, a CPU 304, a flash memory 305
and an SDRAM 306.
[0063] The camera connector I/F 301 is an interface unit via which
the wireless transmitter 300 is connected with the camera 200, as
described earlier. The LAN I/F 302 is an interface unit to which
the LAN cable is connected to establish a wired connection for the
wireless transmitter 300 and the personal computer 400. The
wireless module 303 controls wireless connection between the
wireless transmitter 300 and the personal computer achieved through
a wireless communication with the personal computer 400.
[0064] In the flash memory 305 constituted with a nonvolatile
memory, an image file transferred from the camera 200, various
parameters read for the program execution and the like are
recorded. As explained earlier, the image file transferred from the
camera 200 contains image data (main image data) expressing the
main image obtained through photographing operation and image data
(thumbnail image data) expressing the thumbnail image generated by
reducing the main image. The SDRAM 306, which is a volatile memory,
is utilized as a work memory by the program during program
execution by the CPU 304 or as a buffer memory where data are
temporarily recorded.
[0065] The CPU 304 controls the various units constituting the
wireless transmitter 300. For instance, as an image file
originating from the camera 200 is input via the camera connector
I/F 301, the CPU 304 executes control so as to record the image
file into the flash memory 305 used as a storage medium. In
addition, an image file recorded in the flash memory 305 is opened
in the SDRAM 306 functioning as a buffer memory and is transferred
to the personal computer 400 via the LAN I/F 302 or the wireless
module 303 under control executed by the CPU.
[0066] FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a structure that may be
adopted in the personal computer 400 in the embodiment. The
personal computer 400 includes an operation member 401, a LAN I/F
402, a wireless module 403, an HDD (hard disk drive) 404, a CPU
405, a flash memory 406, an SDRAM 407 and a monitor 408.
[0067] The operation member 401 includes various devices operated
by the user such as a keyboard and a mouse. The LAN I/F 402 is an
interface unit that is connected with a LAN cable to establish a
wired connection with a wireless transmitter 300. The wireless
module 403 controls wireless communication with the wireless
transmitter 300.
[0068] The HDD 404 is a storage medium in which image files
obtained from the wireless transmitter 300, various programs to be
executed by the CPU 405 and the like are recorded. The CPU 405
controls the various units constituting the personal computer
400.
[0069] In the flash memory 406 constituted with a nonvolatile
memory, various parameters read for the program execution and the
like are recorded. The SDRAM 407, which is a volatile memory, is
utilized as a work memory by the program during program execution
by the CPU 405 or as a buffer memory where data are temporarily
recorded. At the monitor 408, which may be, for instance, a liquid
crystal monitor, various types of information output from the CPU
405 are brought up on display.
[0070] In the image transfer system 100 configured as described
above, an image file containing an image having been photographed
with a given camera 200 is recorded into the memory card 205a in
the camera 200 and is also transmitted to the corresponding
wireless transmitter 300 where it is recorded into the flash memory
305. Thus, the image file is recorded into both the memory card
205a in the camera 200 and the flash memory 305 in the wireless
transmitter 300.
[0071] However, if the user deletes the image file from the memory
card 205a, the memory card 205a is formatted (initialized) or the
memory card 205a is taken out of the memory card slot 205, only the
flash memory 305 shall hold the image file. In addition, if the
image file is deleted from the flash memory 305 in the wireless
transmitter 300 or the flash memory 305 is formatted as described
later, only the memory card 205a shall hold the image file. There
may also be a situation in which the image file no longer exists
either in the memory card 205a or in the flash memory 305.
[0072] A common scenario in which an image file is deleted from the
flash memory 305 in the wireless transmitter 300 is now described.
The flash memory 305 has a limited storage capacity. Thus, as image
files transmitted from the camera 200 are accumulated in the flash
memory 305, the available storage capacity of the flash memory 305
gradually decreases. Eventually, a situation shall arise in which
the available capacity in the flash memory 305 is less than the
data size of the most recently received image file originating from
the camera 200 and the newly received image file cannot be recorded
into the flash memory 305.
[0073] Accordingly, each time an image file is received from the
camera 200, the CPU 304 in the embodiment compares the available
capacity in the flash memory 305 with the data size of the received
image file and if the available capacity is less than the image
file data size, the CPU 304 deletes at least one image file in the
flash memory 305 in order to assure sufficient memory space
available for recording the most recently received image file.
[0074] In the embodiment, the CPU 304 deletes image files holding
most dated images among the image files recorded in the flash
memory 305. For instance, if the available capacity can be
increased to assure sufficient memory space for recording the newly
received image file by deleting the single image file with the
oldest photographing date, the CPU 304 deletes the image file with
the oldest photographing date among the image files recorded in the
flash memory 305.
[0075] However, the available capacity may not be increased to
assure sufficient memory space for recording the newly received
image file by deleting the oldest image file alone. Under such
circumstances, the CPU 304 deletes image files in the chronological
order, i.e., it deletes image files with the oldest photographing
dates, as many as needed to create sufficient memory space for
recording the newly received image file, among the image files
recorded in the flash memory 305.
[0076] As explained earlier, the user issues an image file
acquisition instruction to obtain an image file from the wireless
transmitter 300 by selecting a thumbnail image in the view of
thumbnail images brought up at the monitor 408. However, under
circumstances such as those described above, the image file desired
by the user may not be recorded in the flash memory 305. In this
situation, provided that the particular image file is recorded in
the memory card 205a in the camera 200, the CPU 405 issues an image
file transmission instruction to the camera 200 via the wireless
transmitter 300 in the embodiment.
[0077] This system requires information based upon which a decision
can be made as to whether or not each of the image files
corresponding to the thumbnail images displayed in the view of
thumbnail images at the monitor 408 is recorded in the memory card
205a and the flash memory 305, to be managed in the camera 200, the
wireless transmitter 300 or the personal computer 400.
[0078] In the first embodiment, the information used to make a
decision as to whether each image file is recorded in the memory
card 205a and the flash memory 305 is managed at the personal
computer 400. In more specific terms, a management database holding
management information based upon which image file recording
locations are managed is recorded in the flash memory 406 and upon
receiving an image file acquisition request issued by the user, the
CPU 405 references the management database so as to make a decision
as to whether or not the target image file can be obtained from the
wireless transmitter 300. Then, if the target image file is judged
to be available from the wireless transmitter 300, the CPU 405
issues an image file transmission request to the wireless
transmitter 300.
[0079] If, on the other hand, it is decided that the target image
file cannot be obtained from the wireless transmitter 300, the CPU
405 makes a decision as to whether or not the image file can be
obtained from the camera 200 and if the image file is judged to be
available from the camera, the CPU issues an image file
transmission request to the camera 200. It is to be noted that the
CPU 405 in the embodiment executes the processing described above
in response to an acquisition request for the image file
corresponding to the thumbnail image selected by the user in the
view of thumbnail images brought up at the monitor 408 as described
earlier. It is also to be noted that the management database may be
recorded in the HDD 404 instead of in the flash memory 406.
[0080] FIG. 5 presents an example of information that may be
recorded in the management database. The image file recording
status indicating whether or not each image file is recorded in the
memory card 205a and the flash memory 305 is managed by using flags
in the management database. In the example presented in FIG. 5, the
recording status is managed in correspondence to the file name of
each image file by using a camera flag indicating whether or not
the image file is recorded in the memory card 205a and a wireless
transmitter flag (WT flag) indicating whether or not the image file
is recorded in the flash memory 305.
[0081] Namely, if the image file is recorded in the memory card
205a, the camera flag corresponding to the file name assigned to
the particular image file is set to 1, whereas if the image file is
not recorded in the memory card 205a, the camera flag corresponding
to the file name assigned to the image file is set to 0. In
addition, if the image file is recorded in the flash memory 304,
the WT flag corresponding to the file name assigned to the
particular image file is set to 1, whereas if the image file is not
recorded in the flash memory 305, the WT flag corresponding to the
file name assigned to the image file is set to 0.
[0082] As described earlier, an image file resulting from a
photographing operation executed in the camera 200 is recorded into
the memory card 205a and is also transmitted to the wireless
transmitter 300 where it is recorded into the flash memory 305. At
this time, the camera flag and the WT flag corresponding to the
image file are both set to 1. For instance, the flags corresponding
to the image file assigned with file name DSC.sub.--0001.JPG are
set to 1 in FIG. 5.
[0083] However, if the flash memory 305 is formatted or an image
file is deleted from the flash memory 305 while the same image file
still resides in the memory card 205a, the camera flag
corresponding to the file name of the image file shall remain at 1
but the WT flag shall be reset to 0. For instance, the flags
corresponding to the image file assigned with the file name
DSC.sub.--0002.JPG assume such settings in FIG. 5.
[0084] In addition, if the memory card 205a is formatted, the
memory card 205a is taken out of the memory card slot 205 or an
image file is deleted from the memory card 205a while the same
image file still resides in the flash memory 305, the WT flag
corresponding to the file name assigned to the image file shall
remain at 1 but the camera flag shall be reset to 0. For instance,
the flags corresponding to the image file assigned with file name
DSC.sub.--0003.JPG assume such settings in FIG. 5.
[0085] If an image file is coincidentally deleted both from the
memory card 205a and from the flash memory 305, the camera flag and
the WT flag corresponding to the file name assigned to the
particular image file shall both be set to 0. For instance, the
flags for the image file assigned with file name DSC.sub.--0004.JPG
assume such settings in FIG. 5.
[0086] The following is a description of the flow of processing
executed in the first embodiment, given in reference to FIGS. 6
through 10. FIG. 6 presents a flowchart of the processing executed
in the camera 200, the wireless transmitter 300 and the personal
computer 400 as an image is photographed with the camera 200. The
processing shown in FIG. 6 starts as the user operates the shutter
release button included in the operation member 209 at the camera
200.
[0087] In step S10, the CPU 208 in the camera 200 photographs an
image as described earlier in response to a shutter release
operation performed by the user and generates an image file. At
this time, the CPU 208 generates thumbnail image data expressing a
display image based upon the image data having been obtained,
records the thumbnail image data into the SDRAM 206 and also adds
the thumbnail image data into the image file. In addition, the CPU
208 generates metadata related to the photographing date/time and
the photographing conditions and records the metadata into the
SDRAM 206. The metadata are also recorded into the image file.
Furthermore, the data in the image file thus generated are
temporarily recorded into the SDRAM 206.
[0088] The operation then proceeds to step S20, in which the CPU
208 transmits the thumbnail image data and the metadata recorded in
the SDRAM 206 to the wireless transmitter 300, before the operation
proceeds to step S30. In step S30, the CPU 208 records the image
file recorded in the SDRAM 206 into the memory card 205a.
Subsequently, the operation proceeds to step S40 in which the CPU
208 transmits the data in the image file recorded in the SDRAM 206
to the wireless transmitter 300 before the processing ends.
[0089] The CPU 304 in the wireless transmitter 300 receives the
thumbnail image data and the metadata transmitted from the camera
200 and records the received data into the SDRAM 306 in step S50.
The operation then proceeds to step S60 in which the CPU 304 issues
an image add event notice to the personal computer 400 so as to
report to the personal computer 400 that a new image has been
added. Upon receiving the image add event notice in step S140, the
CPU 405 in the personal computer 400 issues a signal requesting a
thumbnail image transmission to the wireless transmitter 300 in
step S150.
[0090] Upon receiving the thumbnail request in step 70, the CPU 304
transmits the thumbnail image data and the metadata recorded in the
SDRAM 306 to the personal computer 400 in step S80. In step S160,
the CPU 405 receives the thumbnail image data and the metadata
transmitted from the wireless transmitter 300 and records the
received data into the SDRAM 407 before the operation proceeds to
step S170.
[0091] In step S170, the CPU 405 registers the file name of the
image file corresponding to the thumbnail image data having been
received, and the camera flag and the WT flag for the image file
into the management database recorded in the flash memory 406, in
order to manage the recording locations of the image file
corresponding to the thumbnail image data. It is to be noted that
the CPU 405 ascertains the file name of the image file
corresponding to the received thumbnail image data by referencing
the metadata recorded in the SDRAM 407.
[0092] In more specific terms, the CPU 405 registers the file name
assigned to the image file in the management database shown in FIG.
5 and sets both the camera flag and the WT flag corresponding to
the file name to 1. As a result, the personal computer 400 is able
to keep abreast of the recording status of the image file newly
photographed with the camera 200, i.e., the image file is recorded
in both the memory card 205a at the camera 200 and in the flash
memory 305 at the wireless transmitter 300.
[0093] Subsequently, the operation proceeds to step S180, in which
the CPU 405 adds the image (thumbnail image) expressed with the
thumbnail image data recorded in the SDRAM 407 in the view of
thumbnail images at the monitor 408, before the processing
ends.
[0094] As described above, before recording the image file into the
memory card 205a, the CPU 208 in the camera 200 transmits the
thumbnail image data to the wireless transmitter 300 in step S20.
Thus, the thumbnail image data can be promptly transmitted to the
wireless transmitter 300 without having to wait for the write into
the memory card 205a to be completed. In addition, the CPU 304 in
wireless transmitter 300 transmits the thumbnail image data
originating from the camera 200 to the personal computer 400,
which, in turn, outputs the received thumbnail image data to the
monitor 408 to be added into the view of thumbnail images.
Consequently, the thumbnail image of the image having been
photographed with the camera 200 can be quickly brought up on
display at the monitor 408.
[0095] In addition, the CPU 304 in the wireless transmitter 300
receives the data in the image file transmitted from the camera 200
and records the received data into the SDRAM 306 in step S90. Then,
the operation proceeds to step S100, in which the CPU 304 compares
the data size of the image file recorded into the SDRAM 306 with
the available capacity at the flash memory 305 so as to make a
decision as to whether or not the flash memory 305 has sufficient
memory space available to record the new image file. If a negative
decision is made, the operation proceeds to step S110.
[0096] In step S110, the CPU 304 references the metadata
corresponding to the individual image files recorded in the flash
memory 305, so as to identify the image file with the oldest
photographing date and delete the identified image file from the
flash memory 305. Subsequently, the operation proceeds to step S120
in which the CPU 304 issues an image delete event notice with
regard to the image file having been deleted to the personal
computer 400, thereby notifying the personal computer 400 that they
image file has been deleted.
[0097] In step S190, the CPU 405 receives the image delete event
notice and then the operation proceeds to step S200. In step S200,
the CPU 405 updates the management information with regard to the
recording status of the image file having been deleted by adjusting
the settings of flags corresponding to the deleted image file in
the data recorded in the management database. More specifically,
the CPU 405 adjusts the setting of the WT flag to 0 without
altering the setting of the camera flag corresponding to the file
name. Thus, the management information for the image file indicates
that the image file is no longer recorded in the flash memory 305
in the wireless transmitter 300.
[0098] The operation then proceeds to step S210, in which the CPU
405 references the management database to make a decision as to
whether or not the setting of the camera flag corresponding to the
image file, the WT flag setting of which has been adjusted to 0, is
currently 1. If a negative decision is made, the operation proceeds
to step S220. A negative decision is made if the image file is not
recorded in the flash memory 305 in the wireless transmitter 300 or
in the memory card 205 in the camera 200. In this situation, even
if the user issues an image file acquisition instruction for the
particular image file, the image file is not available.
Accordingly, the CPU 405 deletes the thumbnail image corresponding
to the image file from the view of thumbnail images at the monitor
405 in step S220 before the processing ends.
[0099] If, on the other hand, an affirmative decision is made in
step S210, the image file, having been deleted from the flash
memory 305 in the wireless transmitter 300, still resides in the
memory card 205a in the camera 200. This means that in response to
an image file acquisition instruction issued by the user, the image
file can be retrieved from the memory card 205a. Accordingly, the
CPU 405 ends the processing without deleting the thumbnail image
from the view of thumbnail images.
[0100] If an affirmative decision is made in step S100, the
operation proceeds to step S130. Since sufficient memory space for
recording the newly received image file is available in the flash
memory 305, the CPU 304 records the image file received from the
camera 200 into the flash memory 305 in step S130 and then the
processing ends.
[0101] FIG. 7 presents a flowchart of the processing executed in
the camera 200, the wireless transmitter 300 and the personal
computer 400 as the flash memory 305 in the wireless transmitter
300 is initialized. It is to be noted that the user is able to
issue an instruction for initialization of the flash memory 305
through a menu operation performed at the camera 200. The
processing shown in FIG. 7 starts in response to an initialization
instruction issued via the camera 200 by the user to initialize the
flash memory 305.
[0102] In step S310, the CPU 208 in the camera 200 transmits an
initialize command to the wireless transmitter 300 in response to
the initialization instruction issued by the user. Upon receiving
in step S320, the initialize command transmitted from the camera
200, the CPU 304 in the wireless transmitter 300 initializes the
flash memory 305 in step S330. The operation then proceeds to step
S340 in which the CPU 304 issues an initialize event notice to the
personal computer 400 so as to report that the flash memory 305 has
been initialized.
[0103] Upon receiving in step S350 the initialize event notice, the
CPU 405 in the personal computer 400 updates the flag values in the
management database in step S360. More specifically, it resets the
settings of the WT flags corresponding to the file names of all the
image files registered in the management database to 0. The
operation then proceeds to step S370, in which the CPU 405
references the management database to make a decision as to whether
or not the camera flag corresponding to a specific image file is
currently set to 1.
[0104] If a negative decision is made, the operation proceeds to
step S380. In this case, the particular image file is not recorded
in the flash memory 305 in the wireless transmitter 300 or in the
memory card 205a in the camera 200 and accordingly, the CPU 405
erases the thumbnail image corresponding to the image file from the
view of thumbnail images at the monitor 408 before the operation
proceeds to step S390. If, on the other hand, an affirmative
decision is made in step S370, the operation proceeds directly to
step S390.
[0105] In step S390, the CPU 405 makes a decision as to whether or
not the processing in steps S370 and S380 has been completed in
correspondence to all the image files registered in the management
database. If a negative decision is made, the operation returns to
step S370 to repeatedly execute the processing. If, on the other
hand, an affirmative decision is made, the processing ends.
[0106] FIG. 8 presents a flowchart of the processing executed in
the camera 200, the wireless transmitter 300 and the personal
computer 400 as the memory card 205a in the camera 200 is
initialized or as the memory card 205a is taken out of the memory
card slot 205. It is to be noted that the user is able to issue an
initialization instruction to initialize the memory card 205a by
performing a specific menu operation at the camera 200. The
processing shown in FIG. 8 starts as the memory card 205a is
initialized in response to an instruction issued by the user or as
the user takes out the memory card 205a from the memory card slot
205.
[0107] If the memory card 205a has been disengaged from the memory
card slot 205, the CPU 208 in the camera 200 transmits a memory
card unload event notice to the wireless transmitter 300 in step
S410 so as to report that the memory card has been taken out. If,
on the other hand, the memory card 205a has been initialized in
response to an instruction issued by the user, the CPU 208
transmits a memory card initialize event notice to the wireless
transmitter 300 so as to report that the memory card has been
initialized.
[0108] The CPU 304 in the wireless transmitter 300, having received
the event notice originating from the camera 200, transfers the
event notice to the personal computer 400 in step S420.
[0109] Upon receiving in step S430 the memory card unload event
notice or the memory card initialize event notice, the CPU 405 in
the personal computer 400 updates flag values in the management
database in step S440. More specifically, it resets the settings of
the camera flags corresponding to the file names of all the image
files registered in the management database to 0. The operation
then proceeds to step S450, in which the CPU 405 references the
management database to make a decision as to whether or not the WT
flag corresponding to a specific image file is currently set to
1.
[0110] If a negative decision is made, the operation proceeds to
step S460. In this case, the particular image file is not recorded
in the flash memory 305 in the wireless transmitter 300 or in the
memory card 205a in the camera 200 and accordingly, the CPU 405
erases the thumbnail image corresponding to the image file from the
view of thumbnail images at the monitor 408 before the operation
proceeds to step S470. If, on the other hand, an affirmative
decision is made in step S450, the operation proceeds directly to
step S470.
[0111] In step S470, the CPU 405 makes a decision as to whether or
not the processing in steps S450 and S460 has been completed in
correspondence to all the image files registered in the management
database. If a negative decision is made, the operation returns to
step S450 to repeatedly execute the processing. If, on the other
hand, an affirmative decision is made, the processing ends.
[0112] FIG. 9 presents a flowchart of the processing executed in
the camera 200, the wireless transmitter 300 and the personal
computer 400 as one of the image files in the memory card 205a in
the camera 200 is deleted. It is to be noted that the user is able
to issue an image file delete instruction by performing a specific
menu operation or a button operation at the camera 200. The
processing in FIG. 9 starts as a given image file is deleted from
the memory card 205a in response to an instruction issued by the
user.
[0113] In step S510, the CPU in the camera 200 issues an image
delete event notice to the wireless transmitter 300 so as to report
that an image has been deleted. The image delete event notice
includes information that enables identification of the deleted
image file, such as information indicating the file name.
[0114] Upon receiving, the event notice originating from the camera
200, the CPU 304 in the wireless transmitter 300 transfers the
event notice to the personal computer 400 in step S520.
[0115] Upon receiving the image delete event notice in step S530,
the CPU 405 in the personal computer 400 updates flag values in the
management database in step S540. In more specific terms, it
identifies the file name in the data registered in the management
database, which matches the file name indicated in the image delete
event notice and resets the setting of the camera flag
corresponding to the file name to 0. Subsequently, the operation
proceeds to step S550 in which the CPU 405 references the
management database to make a decision as to whether or not the
setting of the WT flag corresponding to the image file is currently
1.
[0116] If a negative decision is made, the operation proceeds to
step S560. In this case, the particular image file is not recorded
in the flash memory 305 in the wireless transmitter 300 or in the
memory card 205a in the camera 200 and accordingly, the CPU 405
erases the thumbnail image corresponding to the image file from the
view of thumbnail images at the monitor 408 before the processing
ends. If, on the other hand, an affirmative decision is made in
step S550, the operation ends.
[0117] FIG. 10 presents a flowchart of the processing executed in
the camera 200, the wireless transmitter 300 and the personal
computer 400 as an image file transfer request is issued by the
user via the personal computer 400. It is to be noted that the user
is able to issue an image file transfer request by operating the
operation member 401 to select a specific thumbnail image in the
view of thumbnail images at the monitor 408, as explained earlier.
The processing in FIG. 10 starts in response to an image file
transfer request issued by the user via the personal computer
400.
[0118] In step S610, the CPU 405 in the personal computer 400
references the management database so as to make a decision as to
whether or not the WT flag corresponding to the file name assigned
to the transfer target image file requested by the user is
currently set to 1. If an affirmative decision is made, the
operation proceeds to step S620. The results of the decision,
having been made in step S610, indicate that the transfer target
image file requested by the user can be obtained from the wireless
transmitter 300 and accordingly, the CPU 405 issues an image
transfer request to the wireless transmitter 300 in step S620. The
image transfer request contains information indicating the file
name of the transfer target image file.
[0119] In step S660, the CPU 304 in the wireless transmitter 300
receives the image transfer request from the personal computer 400.
Subsequently, the CPU 304 identifies the requested image file,
reads out the image file from the flash memory 305 and transmits
the image file to the personal computer 400 in step S670. In step
S630, the CPU 405 in the personal computer 400 receives the image
file transmitted from the wireless transmitter 300 and records it
into the HDD 404, before the processing ends.
[0120] If, on the other hand, a negative decision is made in step
S610, the operation proceeds to step S640. The results of the
decision made in step S610 indicate that the transfer target image
file requested by the user is not recorded in the wireless
transmitter 300 and is therefore not available at the wireless
transmitter. Accordingly, in step S640, the CPU 405 issues a
camera-sourced image transfer request to the wireless transmitter
300 so that the wireless transmitter obtains the image from the
camera 200 and then transfers the obtained image. The
camera-sourced image transfer request, too, contains information
indicating the file name of the transfer target image file.
[0121] Upon receiving in step S680 the camera-sourced image
transfer request from the personal computer 400, the CPU 304 in the
wireless transmitter 300 issues an image transfer request to the
camera 200 in step S690. In step S720, the CPU 208 in the camera
200 receives the image transfer request from the wireless
transmitter 300. Subsequently, the operation proceeds to step S730
in which the CPU 208 identifies the requested image file, reads out
the image file from the memory card 205a and transmits the image
file to the wireless transmitter 300.
[0122] In step S700, the CPU 304 in the wireless transmitter 300
receives the image file from the camera and then the received image
file is transmitted to the personal computer 400 in step S710. In
step S650, the CPU 405 in the personal computer 400 receives the
image file transmitted from the wireless transmitter 300 and
records the received image file into the HDD 404, before the
processing ends. It is to be noted that the CPU 405 may record the
received image file into the flash memory 406, instead.
[0123] The following advantages are achieved through the first
embodiment described above.
[0124] (1) Via the management database recorded in the flash memory
406 installed in the personal computer 400, the recording status of
each image file, i.e., whether or not the image file is recorded in
the memory card 205a in the camera 200 and in the flash memory 305
in the wireless transmitter 300, is managed in the personal
computer 400. Upon receiving an image transfer request issued by
the user, the CPU 405 in the personal computer 400 references the
management database so as to make a decision as to whether or not
the transfer target image file is recorded in the flash memory 305.
If it is decided that the image file is recorded in the flash
memory 305, it issues an image file transmission request to the
wireless transmitter 300, whereas if it is decided that the image
file is not recorded in the flash memory 305, it issues an image
file transmission request to the camera 200. The image file
received at the personal computer is then recorded into the HDD 404
under control executed by the CPU 405. As a result, the recording
location of the image file can be reliably managed in the personal
computer 400 and the CPU 405 is able to obtain the image file from
the optimal recording location and record the obtained image
file.
[0125] (2) If the available capacity at the flash memory 305 is
less than the data size of the image file transmitted from the
camera 200, the CPU 304 in the wireless transmitter 300 deletes at
least one of the existing image files in the flash memory 305 so as
to make space available in the flash memory 305 to record the image
file. Thus, even when the flash memory 305 does not currently have
sufficient memory space available for recording the image file
having been received from the camera 200, the necessary capacity
can be secured to enable image file recording.
[0126] (3) The CPU 405 brings up at the monitor 408 a view of
thumbnail images having been received from the wireless transmitter
300. If an image file corresponding to a thumbnail image in the
view of thumbnail images at the monitor 408 is not recorded in the
memory card 205a in the camera 200 or in the flash memory 305 in
the wireless transmitter 300, the CPU 405 erases the thumbnail
image corresponding to the particular image file from the list. In
other words, the CPU 405 erases from the view of thumbnail images
the thumbnail image of the image file no longer available either
from the camera 200 or the wireless transmitter 300. Consequently,
a situation in which an image transfer request from the user for an
image file no longer saved either into the camera 200 or the
wireless transmitter 300 is inadvertently issued does not
arise.
[0127] (4) The CPU 405 updates the management database each time a
new image file is added into the memory card 205a, each time a new
image file is added into the flash memory 305, each time an image
file is deleted from the memory card 205a, each time an image file
is deleted from the flash memory 305, each time the flash memory
205a is initialized, each time the flash memory 305 is initialized
and each time the memory card 205a is unloaded from the memory card
slot 205 at the camera 200. The CPU 405 is thus able to keep itself
up to date on the recording statuses of image files by updating the
management database whenever the recording status of an image file
in the memory card 205a or the flash memory 305 changes.
Second Embodiment
[0128] In reference to the second embodiment, processing that may
be executed to manage the management database at the wireless
transmitter 300 is described. It is to be noted that since the
illustrations in FIGS. 1 through 4, in reference to which the first
embodiment has been described, are also applicable to the second
embodiment, a repeated explanation is not provided. The management
database shown in FIG. 5 is recorded in the flash memory 305 in the
wireless transmitter 300 in the second embodiment.
[0129] FIG. 11 presents a flowchart of the processing executed in
the camera 200, the wireless transmitter 300 and the personal
computer 400 as an image is photographed with the camera 200. The
processing shown in FIG. 11 starts as the user operates the shutter
release button included in the operation member 209 at the camera
200. It is to be noted that in FIG. 11, steps in which processing
similar to that executed in the first embodiment, as shown in FIG.
6 is executed, are assigned with the same step numbers and that the
following explanation focuses on the differences from the
processing shown in FIG. 6.
[0130] In step S111, the CPU 304 in the wireless transmitter 300
updates the flag settings recorded in the management database,
which corresponds to the image data file with the oldest
photographic date, having been deleted in step S110. More
specifically, the CPU 304 adjusts the setting of the WT flag to 0
without altering the setting of the camera flag corresponding to
the file name. The operation then proceeds to step S112.
[0131] In step S112, the CPU 304 references the management database
to make a decision as to whether or not the setting of the camera
flag corresponding to the image file, the WT flag setting of which
has been adjusted to 0, is currently 1. If an affirmative decision
is made, the operation returns to step S100. If, on the other hand,
a negative decision is made, the operation proceeds to step S120. A
negative decision is made if the image file is not recorded in the
flash memory 305 in the wireless transmitter 300 or in the memory
card 205 in the camera 200. Accordingly, the CPU 304 issues an
image delete event notice to the personal computer 400 as a form of
an erase instruction for erasing the thumbnail image corresponding
to the image file from the view of thumbnail images at the monitor
408.
[0132] Upon receiving in step S190 the image delete event notice,
the CPU 405 in the personal computer 400 erases the thumbnail image
corresponding to the image file in relation to which the image
delete event notice has been received from the view of thumbnail
images at the monitor 408 in step S220, and then the processing
ends.
[0133] Following step S130, in which the CPU 304 in the wireless
transmitter 300 records the image file received from the camera 200
into the flash memory 305, the operation proceeds to step S131. In
step S131, the CPU 304 registers the file name, the camera flag and
the WT flag of the image file received from the camera 200 in the
management database recorded in the flash memory 305 and then the
processing ends. It is to be noted that the CPU 304 identifies the
file name of the image file corresponding to the received image
file by referencing the metadata recorded in the SDRAM 306 as
explained earlier.
[0134] FIG. 12 presents a flowchart of the processing executed in
the camera 200, the wireless transmitter 300 and the personal
computer 400 as the flash memory 305 in the wireless transmitter
300 is initialized. The processing shown in FIG. 12 starts in
response to an initialization instruction issued via the camera 200
by the user to initialize the flash memory 305. It is to be noted
that in FIG. 12, steps in which processing similar to that executed
in the first embodiment, as shown in FIG. 7 is executed, are
assigned with the same step numbers and that the following
explanation focuses on the differences from the processing shown in
FIG. 7.
[0135] After the CPU 304 in the wireless transmitter 300
initializes the flash memory 305 in step S330, the operation
proceeds to step S331. In step S331, the CPU 304 updates flag
values in the management database. More specifically, it resets the
settings of the WT flags corresponding to the file names of all the
image files registered in the management database to 0. The
operation then proceeds to step S332, in which the CPU 304
references the management database to make a decision as to whether
or not the camera flag corresponding to a specific image file is
currently set to 1.
[0136] If a negative decision is made, the operation proceeds to
step S341. In this case, the particular image file is not recorded
in the flash memory 305 in the wireless transmitter 300 or in the
memory card 205a in the camera 200. Accordingly, the CPU 304 issues
an image delete event notice to the personal computer 400 as a form
of an erase instruction for erasing the thumbnail image
corresponding to the image file from the view of thumbnail images
at the monitor 408 and then the operation proceeds to step S342.
If, on the other hand, an affirmative decision is made in step
S332, the operation proceeds directly to step S342.
[0137] In step S342, the CPU 304 in the wireless transmitter 300
makes a decision as to whether or not the processing in steps S332
and S341 has been completed in correspondence to all the image
files registered in the management database. If a negative decision
is made, the operation returns to step S332 to repeatedly execute
the processing. If, on the other hand, an affirmative decision is
made, the processing ends.
[0138] In addition, upon receiving in step S350 the image delete
event notice, the CPU 405 in the personal computer 400 erases the
thumbnail image corresponding to the image file in relation to
which the image delete event notice has been received from the view
of thumbnail images at the monitor 408 in step S380, and then the
processing ends.
[0139] FIG. 13 presents a flowchart of the processing executed in
the camera 200, the wireless transmitter 300 and the personal
computer 400 as the memory card 205a in the camera 200 is
initialized or as the memory card 205a is taken out of the memory
card slot 205. The processing shown in FIG. 13 starts as the memory
card 205a is initialized in response to an instruction issued by
the user or as the user takes out the memory card 205a from the
memory card slot 205. It is to be noted that in FIG. 13, steps in
which processing similar to that executed in the first embodiment,
as shown in FIG. 8 is executed, are assigned with the same step
numbers and that the following explanation focuses on the
differences from the processing shown in FIG. 8.
[0140] Upon receiving in step S421 the memory card unload event
notice or the memory card initialize event notice, the CPU 304 in
the wireless transmitter 300 updates flag values in the management
database in step S422. More specifically, it resets the settings of
the camera flags corresponding to the file names of all the image
files registered in the management database to 0. The operation
then proceeds to step S423, in which the CPU 304 references the
management database to make a decision as to whether or not the WT
flag corresponding to each image file is currently set to 1.
[0141] If a negative decision is made, the operation proceeds to
step S424. In this case, the particular image file is not recorded
in the flash memory 305 in the wireless transmitter 300 or in the
memory card 205a in the camera 200 and accordingly, the CPU 304
issues an image delete event notice in relation to the particular
image file to the personal computer 400 before the operation
proceeds to step S425. If, on the other hand, an affirmative
decision is made in step S423, the operation proceeds directly to
step S425.
[0142] In step S425, the CPU 304 in the wireless transmitter 300
makes a decision as to whether or not the processing in steps S423
and S424 has been completed in correspondence to all the image
files registered in the management database. If a negative decision
is made, the operation returns to step S423 to repeatedly execute
the processing. If, on the other hand, an affirmative decision is
made, the processing ends.
[0143] Upon receiving the image delete event notice in step S431,
the CPU 405 in the personal computer 400 erases the thumbnail image
corresponding to the image file in relation to which the image
delete event notice has been received from the view of thumbnail
images at the monitor 408 in step S460 and then the processing
ends.
[0144] FIG. 14 presents a flowchart of the processing executed in
the camera 200, the wireless transmitter 300 and the personal
computer 400 as one of the image files in the memory card 205a in
the camera 200 is deleted. The processing in FIG. 14 starts as a
given image file is deleted from the memory card 205a in response
to an instruction issued by the user. It is to be noted that in
FIG. 14, steps in which processing similar to that executed in the
first embodiment, as shown in FIG. 9 is executed, are assigned with
the same step numbers and that the following explanation focuses on
the differences from the processing shown in FIG. 9.
[0145] Upon receiving the image delete event notice from the camera
200 in step S521, the CPU 304 in the wireless transmitter 300
updates flag values in the management database in step S522. In
more specific terms, it identifies the file name in the data
registered in the management database, which matches the file name
indicated in the image delete event notice and resets the setting
of the camera flag corresponding to the file name to 0.
Subsequently, the operation proceeds to step S523 in which the CPU
304 references the management database to make a decision as to
whether or not the setting of the WT flag corresponding to the
image file is currently 1.
[0146] If a negative decision is made, the operation proceeds to
step S524. In this case, the particular image file is not recorded
in the flash memory 305 in the wireless transmitter 300 or in the
memory card 205a in the camera 200 and accordingly, the CPU 304
issues an image delete event notice with regard to the particular
image file to the personal computer 400 and then ends the
processing. If, on the other hand, an affirmative decision is made
in step S523, the operation ends immediately.
[0147] Upon receiving the image delete event notice in step S531,
the CPU 405 in the personal computer 400 erases the thumbnail image
corresponding to the image file in relation to which the image
delete event notice has been received from the view of thumbnail
images at the monitor 408 in step S560 and then the processing
ends.
[0148] FIG. 15 presents a flowchart of the processing executed in
the camera 200, the wireless transmitter 300 and the personal
computer 400 as an image file transfer request is issued via the
personal computer 400 by the user. The processing in FIG. 15 starts
in response to an image file transfer request issued by the user
via the personal computer 400. It is to be noted that in FIG. 15,
steps in which processing similar to that executed in the first
embodiment, as shown in FIG. 10 is executed, are assigned with the
same step numbers and that the following explanation focuses on the
differences from the processing shown in FIG. 10.
[0149] In response to the image file transfer request issued by the
user, the CPU 405 in the personal computer 400 issues an image
transfer request to the wireless transmitter 300 in step S620. Upon
receiving the image transfer request from the personal computer 400
in step S660, the CPU 304 in the wireless transmitter 300
references the management database and makes a decision as to
whether or not the WT flag corresponding to the file name assigned
to the transfer target image file requested by the user is
currently set to 1 in step S661.
[0150] If an affirmative decision is made, the operation proceeds
to step S670. Since the requested image file is recorded in the
flash memory 305, the CPU 304 reads out the requested image file
from the flash memory 305 and transmits it to the personal computer
400 in step S670.
[0151] If, on the other hand, a negative decision is made in step
S661, the operation proceeds to step S690. In this case, the
requested image file is not recorded in the wireless transmitter
300 and accordingly, the CPU 304 issues an image transfer request
to the camera 200. Then, in step S700, the CPU 304 receives the
image file from the camera 200. It transmits the received image
file to the personal computer 400 in step S710.
[0152] In addition to the advantages of the first embodiment, the
following advantages are achieved through the second embodiment
described above.
[0153] (1) Via the management database recorded in the flash memory
305 installed in the wireless transmitter 300, the recording status
of each image file, i.e., whether or not the image file is recorded
in the memory card 205a in the camera 200 and in the flash memory
305 in the wireless transmitter 300, is managed in the wireless
transmitter 300. Upon receiving an image transfer request
originating from the personal computer 400, the CPU 304 in the
wireless transmitter 300 references the management database so as
to make a decision as to whether or not the transfer target image
file is recorded in the flash memory 305. If it is decided that the
image file is recorded in the flash memory 305, the requested file
is read out from the flash memory 305 and transmitted to the
personal computer 400, whereas if it is decided that the image file
is not recorded in the flash memory 305, the CPU 304 issues an
image file transmission request to the camera 200 and transmits the
image file received from the camera 200 to the personal computer
400. As a result, the recording location of the image file can be
reliably managed by the wireless transmitter 300 and the CPU 304 is
able to transmit the image file obtained from the optimal recording
location to the personal computer 400.
[0154] (2) The CPU 405 in the personal computer 400 brings up at
the monitor 408 a list display of thumbnail images received from
the wireless transmitter 300. As an image file is deleted from the
flash memory 305, the CPU 304 references the management database to
make a decision as to whether or not an image file identical to the
deleted image file is recorded in the memory card 205a. If it is
decided that an image file identical to the deleted image file is
not recorded in the memory card 205a, the CPU 304 issues an
instruction for the personal computer 400 to erase the thumbnail
image corresponding to the image file from the view of thumbnail
images. In other words, the CPU 304 issues an instruction to erase
from the thumbnail list the thumbnail image of the image file no
longer available either from the camera 200 or the wireless
transmitter 300. Consequently, a situation in which an image
transfer request from the user for an image file no longer saved
either into the camera 200 or at the wireless transmitter 300 is
inadvertently issued does not arise.
[0155] (3) The CPU 304 updates the management database each time a
new image file is added into the memory card 205a, each time a new
image file is added into the flash memory 305, each time an image
file is deleted from the memory card 205a, each time an image file
is deleted from the flash memory 305, each time the flash memory
205a is initialized, each time the flash memory 305 is initialized
and each time the memory card 205a is unloaded from the memory card
slot 205 at the camera 200. The CPU 304 is thus able to keep itself
up to date on the recording statuses of image files by updating the
management database whenever the recording status of an image file
in the memory card 205a or the flash memory 305 changes.
Third Embodiment
[0156] In reference to the third embodiment, processing that may be
executed to manage the management database at the camera 200 is
described. It is to be noted that since the illustrations in FIGS.
1 through 4, in reference to which the first embodiment has been
described, are also applicable to the second embodiment, a repeated
explanation is not provided. The management database shown in FIG.
5 is recorded in the flash memory 207 in the camera 200 in the
third embodiment.
[0157] FIG. 16 presents a flowchart of the processing executed in
the camera 200, the wireless transmitter 300 and the personal
computer 400 as an image is photographed with the camera 200. The
processing shown in FIG. 16 starts as the user operates the shutter
release button included in the operation member 209 at the camera
200. It is to be noted that in FIG. 16, steps in which processing
similar to that executed in the first embodiment, as shown in FIG.
6 and that executed in the second embodiment, as shown in FIG. 11
is executed, are assigned with the same step numbers and that the
following explanation focuses on the differences from the
processing shown in FIGS. 6 and 11.
[0158] After recording the image file into the memory card 205a in
step S30, the CPU 208 in the camera 200 registers information
related to the recorded image file in the management database
recorded in the flash memory 207 in step S31. In more specific
terms, the CPU 208 registers the file name assigned to the image
file and sets the camera flag and the WT flag corresponding to the
file name to 1 in the management database shown in FIG. 5.
[0159] In addition, after deleting the image file with the oldest
photographing date among the image files recorded in the flash
memory 305 in step S110, the CPU 304 in the wireless transmitter
300 issues an image delete event notice to the camera 200 in step
S120.
[0160] In step S41, the CPU 208 in the camera 200 receives the
image delete event notice. In step S42, the CPU 208 updates the
flag settings recorded in the management database, which correspond
to the image data file having been deleted from the flash memory
305. More specifically, the CPU 208 adjusts the setting of the WT
flag to 0 without altering the setting of the camera flag
corresponding to the file name of the deleted image file. It is to
be noted that in this embodiment too, the information indicating
the file name of the deleted image file is included in the image
delete event notice and the CPU 208 is thus able to identify the
file name assigned to the image file having been deleted from the
flash memory 305 based upon the information.
[0161] The operation then proceeds to step S43, in which the CPU
208 references the management database to make a decision as to
whether or not the setting of the camera flag corresponding to the
image file, the WT flag setting of which has been adjusted to 0, is
currently 1. If a negative decision is made, the operation proceeds
to step S44. A negative decision is made if the image file is not
recorded in the flash memory 305 in the wireless transmitter 300 or
in the memory card 205 in the camera 200. Accordingly, the CPU 208
issues an image delete event notice, intended for the personal
computer 400 as the final recipient, to the wireless transmitter
300, before ending the processing.
[0162] The CPU 304 in the wireless transmitter 300 passes the image
delete event notice received from the camera 200 on to the personal
computer 400 in step S132. Upon receiving the image delete event
notice in step S190, the CPU 405 in the personal computer 400
erases the thumbnail image corresponding to the image file from the
view of thumbnail images at the monitor 408 in step S220 and then
the processing ends.
[0163] FIG. 17 presents a flowchart of the processing executed in
the camera 200, the wireless transmitter 300 and the personal
computer 400 as the flash memory 305 in the wireless transmitter
300 is initialized. The processing shown in FIG. 17 starts in
response to an initialization instruction issued by the user via
the camera 200 to initialize the flash memory 305. It is to be
noted that in FIG. 17, steps in which processing similar to that
executed in the first embodiment, as shown in FIG. 7 and that the
processing executed in the second embodiment as shown in FIG. 12 is
executed, are assigned with the same step numbers and that the
following explanation focuses on the differences from the
processing shown in FIGS. 7 and 12.
[0164] In step S340, the CPU 304 in the wireless transmitter 300
issues an initialize event notice to the camera 200. The CPU 208 in
the camera 200 receives the initialize event notice in step S311.
Then, in step S312, the CPU 208 updates flag values in the
management database. In more specific terms, it resets the settings
of the WT flags corresponding to the file names assigned to all the
image files registered in the management database to 0.
Subsequently, the operation proceeds to step S313 in which the CPU
208 makes a decision by referencing the management database as to
whether or not the camera flag corresponding to a specific image
file is currently set to 1.
[0165] If a negative decision is made, the operation proceeds to
step S314. In this case, the particular image file is not recorded
in the flash memory 305 in the wireless transmitter 300 or in the
memory card 205a in the camera 200. Accordingly, the CPU 208 issues
an image delete event notice intended for the personal computer 400
as the final recipient, to the wireless transmitter 300 and then
the operation proceeds to step S315. If, on the other hand, an
affirmative decision is made in step S313, the operation proceeds
directly to step S315.
[0166] In step S315, a decision is made as to whether or not the
processing in steps S313 and S314 has been completed in
correspondence to all the image files registered in the management
database. If a negative decision is made, the operation returns to
step S313 to repeatedly execute the processing. If, on the other
hand, an affirmative decision is made, the processing ends.
[0167] The CPU 304 in the wireless transmitter 300 passes the image
delete event notice received from the camera 200 on to the personal
computer 400 in step S343. Upon receiving the image delete event
notice in step S351, the CPU 405 in the personal computer 400
erases the thumbnail image corresponding to the image file from the
view of thumbnail images at the monitor 408 in step S380 and then
the processing ends.
[0168] FIG. 18 presents a flowchart of the processing executed in
the camera 200, the wireless transmitter 300 and the personal
computer 400 as the memory card 205a in the camera 200 is
initialized or as the memory card 205a is taken out of the memory
card slot 205. The processing shown in FIG. 18 starts as the memory
card 205a is initialized in response to an instruction issued by
the user or as the user takes out the memory card 205a from the
memory card slot 205. It is to be noted that in FIG. 18, steps in
which processing similar to that executed in the first embodiment,
as shown in FIG. 8 and that executed in the second embodiment as
shown in FIG. 13 is executed, are assigned with the same step
numbers and that the following explanation focuses on the
differences from the processing shown in FIGS. 8 and 13.
[0169] In step S411, the CPU 208 in the camera 200 updates flag
values in the management database recorded in the flash memory 207.
More specifically, it resets the settings of the camera flags
corresponding to the file names of all the image files registered
in the management database to 0. The operation then proceeds to
step S412, in which the CPU 208 references the management database
to make a decision as to whether or not the WT flag corresponding
to a specific image file is currently set to 1.
[0170] If a negative decision is made, the operation proceeds to
step S413. In this case, the particular image file is not recorded
in the flash memory 305 in the wireless transmitter 300 or in the
memory card 205a in the camera 200. Accordingly, the CPU 208 issues
an image delete event notice intended for the personal computer 400
as the final recipient, to the wireless transmitter 300. If, on the
other hand, an affirmative decision is made in step S412, the
operation proceeds directly to step S414.
[0171] In step S414, the CPU 208 makes a decision as to whether or
not the processing in steps S412 and S413 has been completed in
correspondence to all the image files registered in the management
database. If a negative decision is made, the operation returns to
step S412 to repeatedly execute the processing. If, on the other
hand, an affirmative decision is made, the processing ends.
[0172] The CPU 304 in the wireless transmitter 300 passes the image
delete event notice received from the camera 200 on to the personal
computer 400 in step S420. Upon receiving the image delete event
notice in step S431, the CPU 405 in the personal computer 400
erases the thumbnail image corresponding to the image file, in
relation to which the image delete notice has been received, from
the view of thumbnail images at the monitor 408 in step S460 and
then the processing ends.
[0173] FIG. 19 presents a flowchart of the processing executed in
the camera 200, the wireless transmitter 300 and the personal
computer 400 as one of the image files in the memory card 205a in
the camera 200 is deleted. The processing in FIG. 19 starts as a
given image file is deleted from the memory card 205a in response
to an instruction issued by the user. It is to be noted that in
FIG. 19, steps in which processing similar to that executed in the
first embodiment, as shown in FIG. 9 and that executed in the
second embodiment as shown in FIG. 14 is executed, are assigned
with the same step numbers and that the following explanation
focuses on the differences from the processing shown in FIGS. 9 and
14.
[0174] In step S511, the CPU 208 in the camera 200 updates flag
values in the management database recorded in the flash memory 207.
In more specific terms, it updates the data registered in the
management database by adjusting the setting of the camera flag
corresponding to the file name assigned to the image file having
been deleted from the memory card 250a to 0. Subsequently, the
operation proceeds to step S512 in which the CPU 208 references the
management database to make a decision as to whether or not the
setting of the WT flag corresponding to the image file is currently
1.
[0175] If a negative decision is made, the operation proceeds to
step S510 in which the CPU 208 issues an image delete event notice
intended for the personal computer 400 as the final recipient, to
the wireless transmitter 300, before ending the processing. If, on
the other hand, an affirmative decision is made in step S512, the
processing ends immediately.
[0176] The CPU 304 in the wireless transmitter 300 passes the image
delete event notice received from the camera 200 on to the personal
computer 400 in step S520. Upon receiving the image delete event
notice in step S531, the CPU 405 in the personal computer 400
erases the thumbnail image corresponding to the image file, in
relation to which the image delete event notice has been received,
from the view of thumbnail images at the monitor 408 in step S560
and then the processing ends.
[0177] FIG. 20 presents a flowchart of the processing executed in
the camera 200, the wireless transmitter 300 and the personal
computer 400 as an image file transfer request is issued by the
user via the personal computer 400. The processing in FIG. 20
starts in response to an image file transfer request issued by the
user via the personal computer 400. It is to be noted that in FIG.
20, steps in which processing similar to that executed in the first
embodiment, as shown in FIG. 10 and that executed in the second
embodiment as shown in FIG. 15 is executed, are assigned with the
same step numbers and that the following explanation focuses on the
differences from the processing shown in FIGS. 10 and 15.
[0178] In response to the image file transfer request issued by the
user, the CPU 405 in the personal computer 400 issues an image
transfer request to the wireless transmitter 300 in step S620. The
CPU 304 in the wireless transmitter 300 passes the image transfer
request received from the personal computer 400 on to the camera
200 in step S662. Upon receiving the image transfer request in step
S720, the CPU 208 in the camera 200 references the management
database to make a decision as to whether or not the WT flag
corresponding to the file name assigned to the requested image file
is currently set to 1 in step S721.
[0179] If an affirmative decision is made, the operation proceeds
to step S722, in which the CPU 208 transmits an image transmission
request to the wireless transmitter 300 as a form of an instruction
for transmitting the image file to the personal computer 400. Upon
receiving the image transmission request from the camera 200 in
step S663, the CPU 304 in the wireless transmitter 300 reads out
the requested image file from the flash memory 305 and transmits
the image file to the personal computer 400 in step S670.
[0180] If, on the other hand, a negative decision is made in step
S721, the operation proceeds to step S730 in which the CPU 208
reads out the requested image file from the memory card 205a and
transmits the requested image file to the wireless transmitter 300.
Upon receiving the image file from the camera 200 in step S700, the
CPU 304 transmits the received image file to the personal computer
400 in step S710.
[0181] In addition to the advantages of the first embodiment, the
following advantages are achieved through the third embodiment
described above.
[0182] (1) Via the management database recorded in the flash memory
207 installed in the camera 200, the recording status of each image
file, i.e., whether or not the image file is recorded in the memory
card 205a in the camera 200 and in the flash memory 305 in the
camera 200, is managed in the camera 200. Upon receiving an image
transfer request originating from the personal computer 400 via the
wireless transmitter 300, the CPU 208 references the management
database so as to make a decision as to whether or not the transfer
target image file is recorded in the flash memory 305. If it is
decided that the image file is recorded in the flash memory 305, an
instruction for transmitting the requested file to the personal
computer 400 is issued to the wireless transmitter 300, whereas if
it is decided that the image file is not recorded in the flash
memory 305, the requested file is read out from the memory card
205a and is transmitted to the wireless transmitter 300. As a
result, the recording location of the image file can be reliably
managed in the camera 200 and the CPU 208 is able to transmit the
image file obtained from the optimal recording location to the
personal computer 400.
[0183] (2) The CPU 405 in the personal computer 400 displays a view
of thumbnail images at the monitor 408 of thumbnail images received
from the wireless transmitter 300. As an image file is deleted from
the memory card 205a, the CPU 208 references the management
database to make a decision as to whether or not an image file
identical to the deleted image file is recorded in the flash memory
305. If it is decided that an image file identical to the deleted
image file is not recorded in the flash memory 305, the CPU 208
issues an instruction for the personal computer 400 to erase the
thumbnail image corresponding to the image file from the list. In
other words, the CPU 208 erases from the thumbnail list the
thumbnail image of the image file no longer available either from
the camera 200 or the wireless transmitter 300. Consequently, a
situation in which an image transfer request from the user for an
image file no longer saved either into the camera 200 or at the
wireless transmitter 300 is inadvertently issued, does not
arise.
[0184] (3) The CPU 208 updates the management database each time a
new image file is added into the memory card 205a, each time a new
image file is added into the flash memory 305, each time an image
file is deleted from the memory card 205a, each time an image file
is deleted from the flash memory 305, each time the flash memory
205a is initialized, each time the flash memory 305 is initialized
and each time the memory card 205a is unloaded from the memory card
slot 205 at the camera 200. The CPU 208 is thus able-to keep itself
up to date on the recording statuses of image files by updating the
management database whenever the recording status of an image file
in the memory card 205a or the flash memory 305 changes.
--Variations--
[0185] It is to be noted that the image transfer systems achieved
in the embodiments described above allow for the following
variations.
[0186] (1) In the first through third embodiments described above,
each camera 200 is connected with a wireless transmitter 300 and
the camera 200 is engaged in communication with the personal
computer 400 via the wireless transmitter 300, as shown in FIG. 1.
However, the camera 200 and the personal computer 400 may be
directly connected with each other instead of via the wireless
transmitter 300. In such a case, in response to an image transfer
request from the user, the CPU 405 in the personal computer 400
should issue an image transfer request to the camera 200 and the
CPU 208 in the camera 200 should read the transfer target image
file having been requested from the memory card 205a and transmit
it to the personal computer 400.
[0187] (2) In the first through third embodiments described above,
the user issues a request for image file transfer via the personal
computer 400 to obtain an image file recorded in the storage medium
in the wireless transmitter 300. However, the present invention may
be adopted in conjunction with an information device other than the
personal computer 400, such as a server apparatus or a storage
apparatus. Namely, a server apparatus or a storage apparatus
adopting a structure such as that shown in FIG. 3 may be connected
with wireless transmitters 300 through wired connection or wireless
connection. Under such circumstances, the CPU in the server
apparatus or the like should execute the processing executed by the
personal computer 400 in FIGS. 6 through 20.
[0188] (3) In the first through third embodiments described above,
each camera 200 is connected with a wireless transmitter 300 and
camera 200 is engaged in communication with the personal computer
400 via the wireless transmitter 300 as shown in FIG. 1. However,
the present invention may be adopted in conjunction with a storage
apparatus where image files can be recorded in place of the camera
200. Namely, a storage apparatus may be connected with a wireless
transmitter 300 so as to enable the storage apparatus to
communicate with the personal computer 400 via the wireless
transmitter 300.
[0189] (4) In the first through third embodiments described above,
the CPU 208 in each camera 200 transmits thumbnail image data to
the corresponding wireless transmitter 300 before recording the
image file into the memory card 205a, so that the thumbnail image
can be displayed promptly at the personal computer 400. Instead,
the CPU 208 in the camera 200 may execute the processing for
recording the image file into the memory card 205a and the
processing for transmitting the thumbnail image data to the
wireless transmitter 300 concurrently so as to display the
thumbnail image shall be displayed promptly at the personal
computer 400 promptly. If there is a discrepancy in the processing
speed at which the image file is recorded into the memory card 205a
and the processing speed at which the thumbnail image data are
transmitted to the wireless transmitter 300, the CPU 208 may
execute the concurrent processing by allocating processing
capabilities corresponding to the discrepancy to the recording
processing and the transmission processing.
[0190] (5) In the first through third embodiments described above,
the CPU 208 in each camera 200 transmits thumbnail image data to
the corresponding wireless transmitter 300 before recording the
image file into the memory card 205a, so that the thumbnail image
can be displayed promptly at the personal computer 400. Instead,
the CPU 208 in the camera 200 may transmit the thumbnail image data
to the wireless transmitter 300 after recording the image file into
the memory card 205a so that the image file is recorded with
priority.
[0191] (6) In the first through third embodiments described above,
the CPU 208 in each camera 200 transmits metadata related to an
image file to the wireless transmitter 300 together with the
thumbnail image data corresponding to the image file. As an
alternative, the CPU 208 may transmit only either the thumbnail
image data or the metadata to the wireless transmitter 300.
Assuming that the metadata alone are transmitted to the wireless
transmitter 300, the CPU 405 in the personal computer 400 should
bring up on display at the monitor 408 a list of the metadata
corresponding to individual image files so as to enable the user to
request a transfer of a specific image file by selecting the
corresponding set of metadata in the list on display.
[0192] (7) In the first through third embodiments, the CPU 208 in
each camera 200 transmits thumbnail image data to the wireless
transmitter 300 so that the thumbnail image is displayed promptly
at the personal computer 400 and also transmits an image delete
event notice or the like so as to quickly erase a thumbnail image
at the personal computer 400. Instead, the personal computer 400
may autonomously bring up a thumbnail image display and erase a
thumbnail image, triggered by establishment of communication
between the personal computer 400 and the wireless transmitter 300.
In this case, the user does not need to perform any operation when,
for instance, the communication is reestablished after a temporary
communication failure, assuring a high level of convenience. An
example of processing that maybe autonomously executed by the
computer 400 of to bring up a thumbnail image display and erase a
thumbnail image as needed is now explained in reference to FIGS. 21
and 22.
[0193] FIG. 21 presents a flowchart of the processing through which
the personal computer 400 obtains list data listing the image files
stored in the wireless transmitter 300 and the camera 200. The
processing in FIG. 21 starts, triggered by establishment of
communication between the personal computer 400 and the wireless
transmitter 300.
[0194] In step S870, the CPU 405 in the personal computer 400
transmits an image file list data request to the CPU 304 in the
wireless transmitter 300. Upon receiving the list data request in
step S830, the CPU 304 transmits the image file list data to the
CPU 405 in step S840 and the CPU 304 receives the list data in step
S880. Next, the CPU 405 transmits an image file list data request
to the CPU 208 in the camera 200 and receives the list data (steps
S890, S850, S810, S820, S860 and S900). Based upon the list data
having been obtained, the CPU 405 updates the management database
in step S910, before the processing ends.
[0195] FIG. 22 presents a flowchart of the processing through which
the CPU 405 in the personal computer 400 updates the thumbnail
image display. The processing in FIG. 22 starts as the personal
computer 400 ends the processing shown in FIG. 21.
[0196] In step S1070, the CPU 405 in the personal computer 400
makes a decision as to whether or not there is any thumbnail image.
If an affirmative decision is made, the operation proceeds to step
S1150 in which the CPU 405 makes a decision as to whether or not
the corresponding camera flag and WT flag are both set to 0 by
referencing the management database. If an affirmative decision is
made, the operation proceeds to step S1160, in which the CPU 405
deletes the thumbnail image. However, if a negative decision is
made, the operation proceeds to step S1110 to be detailed
later.
[0197] If a negative decision is made in step S1070, the operation
proceeds to step S1080. In step S1080, the CPU 405 makes a decision
as to whether or not there is a WT flag set to 1. If an affirmative
decision is made, the operation proceeds to step S1090, in which
the CPU 405 transmits a thumbnail image request to the CPU 304 in
the wireless transmitter 300 and receives the thumbnail image in
step S110 (steps S1090, S1030, S1040 and S1100).
[0198] If a negative decision is made in step S1080, the operation
proceeds to step S1120. In step S1120, the CPU 405 makes a decision
as to whether or not there is a camera flag set to 1. If an
affirmative decision is made, the operation proceeds to step S1130,
in which the CPU 405 transmits a thumbnail image request to the CPU
208 in the camera 200 and receives the thumbnail image in step
S1140 (steps S1130, S1050, S1010, S1020, S1060 and S1140). After
step S1140, or after making a negative decision in step S1150, the
CPU 405 displays the thumbnail image at the monitor 408 in step
S1110 before the processing ends. If a negative decision is made in
step S1120, the processing ends immediately.
[0199] (8) The processing explained in reference to the first
through third embodiments is executed while communication between
the personal computer 400 and the wireless transmitter 300
continues. However, even while the communication between the
personal computer 400 and the wireless transmitter 300 is
discontinued, image files may be transmitted from the camera 200 to
the wireless transmitter 300. Through such measures, prompt image
file transfer is enabled after, for instance, the communication
between the personal computer and the wireless transmitter is
reestablished following a temporary communication failure and thus,
a high level of convenience is assured. An example of standby
processing that may be executed by the CPU 304 in the wireless
transmitter 300 when the communication between the personal
computer 400 and the wireless transmitter 300 is discontinued in
the system described in reference to the first embodiment is now
described in reference to FIGS. 23.about.25. It is to be noted that
since the second and third embodiments differ from the first
embodiment with regard only to the execution/non-execution of the
management database update/reference processing, the standby
processing may be adopted in the second and third embodiments as
well in a manner similar to that adopted in conjunction with the
first embodiment.
[0200] FIG. 23 presents a flowchart of the processing executed in
the camera 200 and the wireless transmitter 300 in response to a
photographing operation executed in the camera 200 while the
communication between the personal computer 400 and the wireless
transmitter 300 is discontinued. The processing in FIG. 23 starts
as the user operates the shutter release button included in the
operation member 209 at the camera 200. Since part of the
processing shown in FIG. 23 is identical to part of the processing
in FIG. 6, the following explanation focuses on steps in which
processing different from that in FIG. 6 is executed.
[0201] If a communication error occurs with regard to the issuance
of an image add event notice in step S60, the CPU 304 in the
wireless transmitter 300 receives an event notice error in step S71
and the processing ends.
[0202] If a negative decision is made in step S100, the CPU 304 in
the wireless transmitter 300 deletes the image file having been
received from the camera 200 most recently in step S113, before the
processing ends.
[0203] FIG. 24 presents a flowchart of the processing executed in
the camera 200 and wireless transmitter 300 as the flash memory 305
in the wireless transmitter 300 is initialized while the
communication between the personal computer 400 and the wireless
transmitter 300 is discontinued. It is to be noted that the user is
able to issue an instruction to initialize the flash memory 305 by
performing a specific menu operation at the camera 200. The
processing in FIG. 24 starts in response to an instruction issued
by the user via the camera 200 to initialize the flash memory 305.
Since part of the processing shown in FIG. 24 is identical to part
of the processing in FIG. 7, the following explanation focuses on
steps in which processing different from that in FIG. 7 is
executed.
[0204] If a communication error occurs in relation to the issuance
of an initialize event notice in step S340, the CPU 304 in the
wireless transmitter 300 receives an event notice error in step
S343. Once the event error is received, there is no need to
continue with the processing and accordingly, the processing
ends.
[0205] FIG. 25 presents a flowchart of the processing executed in
the camera 200 and the wireless transmitter 300 if the memory card
205a in the camera 200 is initialized, the memory card 205a is
taken out from the memory card slot 205 at the camera 200 or an
image file is deleted from the memory card 205a in the camera 200
while the communication between the personal computer 400 and
wireless transmitter 300 is discontinued. It is to be noted that
the user is able to issue an instruction to initialize the memory
card 205a by performing a specific menu operation at the camera
200. The processing shown in FIG. 25 starts as the memory card 205a
is initialized in response to an instruction from the user, as the
memory card 205a is taken out of the memory card slot 205 by the
user or as an image file is deleted from the memory card 205a in
response to an instruction issued by the user. Part of the
processing executed in the CPU 304 at the wireless transmitter 300,
as shown in FIG. 25, is identical to part of the processing shown
in FIGS. 8 and 9. Since the processing executed in the CPU 208 at
the camera 200 and in the CPU 304 at the wireless transmitter 300
is identical to the processing shown in FIGS. 8 and 9 except for
that executed in steps S410 and S510, i.e., the first steps
executed in the processing, the following explanation focuses on
steps in FIG. 25 in which processing different from that shown in
FIG. 8 is executed.
[0206] If a communication error occurs in relation to the event
notice which the wireless transmitter has attempted to relay in
step S420, the CPU 304 in the wireless transmitter 300 receives an
event notice error in step S421. Once the event error is received,
there is no need to continue the processing and thus, the
processing ends.
[0207] (9) In reference to the first through third embodiments,
processing executed while the communication between the personal
computer 400 and the wireless transmitter 300 continues is
described. An image file transfer request to the wireless
transmitter 300 issued by the personal computer 400 while the
communication between the personal computer 400 and the wireless
transmitter 300 is discontinued, may be kept on hold in a request
transmission queue. Since this enables a prompt image file transfer
when the communication is reestablished following, for instance, a
temporary communication failure without requiring the user to
perform the same operation again, a higher level of convenience is
assured. An example of standby processing that may be executed by
the CPU 405 in the personal computer 400 when communication between
the personal computer 400 and the wireless transmitter 300 is
discontinued in the system described in reference to the first
embodiment is now described in reference to FIG. 26. It is to be
noted that since the second and third embodiments differ from the
first embodiment with regard to the execution/non-execution of the
management database reference processing, the standby processing
may be adopted in the second and third embodiments as well in a
manner similar to that adopted in conjunction with the first
embodiment.
[0208] FIG. 26 presents a flowchart of the processing executed in
the personal computer 400 in response to a photographing operation
executed in the camera 200 while the communication between the
personal computer 400 and the wireless transmitter 300 is
discontinued. The processing shown in FIG. 26 starts in response to
an image file transfer request issued by the user by selecting via
the operation member 401 at the personal computer 400 a specific
thumbnail image in the view of thumbnail images at the monitor 408
of the personal computer 400. Since part of the processing shown in
FIG. 26 is identical to part of the processing in FIG. 10, the
following explanation focuses on steps in which processing
different from that in FIG. 10 is executed.
[0209] If a communication error occurs in relation to the image
transfer request to the CPU 304 in the wireless transmitter 300
issued in step S620, the CPU 405 in the personal computer 400
receives a request error in step S631. In step S632, the CPU 405
registers the image transfer request having resulted in a
transmission error into a request transmission queue in the CPU 405
so as to keep the image transfer request on hold, before ending the
processing.
[0210] If a communication error occurs in relation to the image
transfer request to the CPU 208 in the camera 200 issued in step
S640, the CPU 405 receives a request error in step S651. In step
S652, the CPU 405 registers the image transfer request having
resulted in a transmission error into the request transmission
queue in the CPU 405 so as to keep the image transfer request on
hold, before ending the processing.
[0211] (10) In variation (8) described above, the CPU 304 in the
wireless transmitter 300 makes a decision as to whether or not
sufficient memory space is available in the flash memory 305 for
recording the image file received from the camera 200. Instead, the
CPU 304 may receive information in advance that indicates the size
of the image file to be transmitted from the camera 200 and make a
decision in advance as to whether or not the flash memory 305 has
sufficient memory space available for recording the image file
received from the camera 200 based upon the image file size. More
specifically, the processing shown in FIG. 23 may be modified as
shown in FIG. 27. In this way, an image file transmitted from the
camera 200 shall be saved into the wireless transmitter 300 with a
high level of reliability and thus, a high level of convenience is
assured by preventing an inadvertent image file loss.
[0212] FIG. 27 presents a flowchart of the processing executed in
the camera 200 and the wireless transmitter 300 in response to a
photographing operation executed in the camera 200 while the
communication between the personal computer 400 and the wireless
transmitter 300 is discontinued. The processing in FIG. 27 starts
as the user operates the shutter release button included in the
operation member 209 at the camera 200. Since part of the
processing shown in FIG. 27 is identical to part of the processing
in FIG. 23, the following explanation focuses on steps in which
processing different from that in FIG. 23 is executed.
[0213] Before transmitting the image file, the CPU 208 in the
camera 200 transmits the information indicating the file size of
the image file to the wireless transmitter 300 in step S41. Upon
receiving in step S91 the information indicating the image file
size, the CPU 304 in the wireless transmitter 300 makes a decision
in step S92 based upon the file size whether or not the flash
memory 305 currently has sufficient memory space available for
recording the image file.
[0214] If a negative decision is made in step S92, the CPU 304 in
the wireless transmitter 300 issues an image file transmission
prohibition notice to the camera 200 in step S101 before the
processing ends. Upon receiving in step S44 the image file
transmission prohibition notice, the CPU 208 in the camera 200 ends
the processing.
[0215] If an affirmative decision is made in step S92, the CPU 304
in the wireless transmitter 300 issues an image file transmission
allow notice to the camera 200 in step S93. Upon receiving in step
S42 the image file transmission allow notice, the CPU 208 in the
camera 200 transmits the image file to the CPU 304 in the wireless
transmitter 300 in step S43 before ending the processing.
[0216] Upon receiving the image file in step S94, the CPU 304 in
the wireless transmitter 300 executes the processing in step S130
as described earlier, before ending the processing.
[0217] The above described embodiments are examples, and various
modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the
invention.
* * * * *