JP2008199356A - Imaging apparatus and imaging method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To improve the extensibility of post-process in a PDA and a PC using position information by acquiring the position information from a plurality of GPS receiving devices and further to improve convenience by efficiently performing transmission processing. <P>SOLUTION: A Bluetooth communication card mounted via a memory card throttle 121 or Bluetooth communication circuit 130 obtains GPS information from each of GPS receiving devices installed in a plurality of photographing objects by radio communication connected to the GPS receiving devices by radio. After establishing radio connection by an SPP (Serial Port Profile) protocol of Bluetooth communication, the GPS receiving devices transmit the GPS information (sentence data) to an imaging apparatus. The GPS information received by the imaging apparatus is displayed in a displaying means and attached to photographed image data. By using an image file with the GPS information attached to the image data, the extensibility of post-process in an external device such as a PDA and a PC and its convenience are improved. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an imaging apparatus and an imaging method for exchanging GPS information and information of image files using wireless communication.

  In recent years, a method of recording various information together with captured images has been proposed as a shooting method in an imaging apparatus such as a digital camera. The information attached together with the image is transferred to a PDA or PC and used as information for performing various post-processing. Among them, GPS information and the like are obtained by inserting a GPS card into a card I / F included in the imaging apparatus, or by connecting to a GPS receiving device via a serial I / F included in the imaging apparatus. Or is taken into the imaging apparatus. Alternatively, a Bluetooth communication card of a Bluetooth (registered trademark) wireless communication standard (hereinafter referred to as “Bluetooth communication”) is inserted into the card I / F of the image pickup apparatus, and a GPS receiver capable of wireless connection corresponding to this Bluetooth communication and GPS information is acquired by wireless communication and taken into the imaging apparatus.

  Patent Documents 1 and 2 describe a digital camera that acquires GPS information from such a GPS receiving device by wireless communication and records it together with captured image data.

  Further, in Patent Document 3, in order to improve the operability of images taken with a digital camera, the digital camera and the file server are connected via a network, and when the power is turned on, the network connection with the file server is established during the startup process. Establishing and automatically transmitting the image to the file server, or downloading and displaying the image via the network in response to an image playback instruction of the digital camera. Patent Document 4 describes the device type of the selected counterpart device. For example, if the other device is a printer, change the corresponding function mode item to a print mode item, and add the function mode item corresponding to the multi-function of the selected partner device. A digital camera is described that increases the number of procedures, making it easier to understand peripheral devices and communication operations, and making the operations easier.

Further, in Patent Document 5, when inquiry data by broadcast is transmitted to the LAN and response data to the inquiry data from the device connected to the LAN is received, the IP address of the device that transmitted this response data is received. There is described a digital camera that saves the work of specifying a transmission destination by a user by extracting and transmitting image data to a device having this IP address.
JP 2006-086927 A JP 2006-033186 A JP 2004-193691 A JP 2006-203625 A JP 2004-159281 A

  The present invention provides an imaging apparatus that acquires GPS information from a plurality of GPS receiving devices and efficiently transmits shooting information to an external device in information transfer using wireless communication such as Bluetooth communication. By acquiring location information at multiple points from multiple GPS receivers and using this information, the scalability of post-processing on PDA (Personal Digital Assistance) and PC (Personal Computer) is improved. Furthermore, it aims at improving the convenience by an efficient transmission process.

  In order to achieve the above object, the imaging apparatus according to claim 1 according to the present invention has a wireless communication function capable of communicating with a plurality of connection destinations and a photographing function for photographing subject images to obtain image data, Wireless connection of multiple GPS receivers and point-to-point protocol in an imaging device that exchanges information by wireless communication wirelessly connected with GPS receivers having a wireless communication function using point-to-point protocol A connection means for establishing GPS, an acquisition means for acquiring GPS information from a GPS receiver by wireless communication after establishment of a wireless connection, a display means for displaying GPS information acquired from the GPS receiver in real time, and a GPS receiver GPs at a plurality of points are provided with attachment means for attaching the GPS information acquired from the image data obtained at the time of shooting. It is possible to attach the image data obtained by photographing the information, thereby improving the scalability, its convenience in after-treatment of the image data such as a PC or PDA.

  An imaging apparatus according to claim 2 is the imaging apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising switching means for selecting and switching GPS information acquired from a plurality of GPS receiving devices based on a user operation, and the display means By selecting and switching the GPS information to be displayed and attached to the image data, GPS information at a plurality of points can be attached to the captured image data, and a plurality of GPS information to be attached can be selected. The expandability and its convenience can be further improved.

  The imaging device according to any one of claims 3 to 5 is the imaging device according to claim 1, and includes a holding unit that holds GPS information acquired from a plurality of GPS receiving devices, and the GPS information from the GPS receiving devices is received. When positioning becomes unpositioned information or when the wireless connection with the GPS receiving device is disconnected, the GPS information held by the holding means is displayed on the display means, and attached to the image data by the attaching means. And switching means for selecting and switching a plurality of GPS information held by the holding means based on a user's operation, and selecting or switching the GPS information displayed on the display means and attached to the image data. When the GPS information held by the means is used, the granting means is provided for providing identification information indicating that the GPS information is held by the holding means. The GPS information can be distinguished and displayed on the display means and attached to the image data, so that the GPS information of a plurality of points can be obtained even when the wireless connection with the GPS receiving device is disconnected or the positioning data cannot be obtained. Can be attached to captured image data, and the GPS information to be attached can be selected to improve the extensibility and convenience of post-processing of the image data, and it is easy to distinguish whether the GPS information is held in the holding means Can be.

  According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an imaging apparatus according to any one of the first to fifth aspects, wherein the image data obtained by the photographing function is attached with GPS information and recorded as an image file, and the wireless communication function. A selection means for selecting a connection setting registered in advance in a communication means for performing wireless communication with an external device is provided, and at the same time as a process for performing wireless communication with the external device is selected, the process is performed in the background of the selected process. By executing the process of establishing the wireless connection of the communication means by the connection setting of the connection, the wireless connection process and the selected process are performed simultaneously when the connection destination of the wireless network is the same as the previous connection destination. Therefore, it can move to communication processing in a short time.

  The image pickup apparatus according to claim 7 is the image pickup apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the wireless communication with the external device is canceled in the middle of the process of establishing the wireless connection of the communication means. By stopping the process of establishing a connection, power consumption can be suppressed.

  According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an imaging apparatus according to any one of the first to fifth aspects, wherein recording means for attaching GPS information to image data obtained by the photographing function and recording it as an image file, and a wireless communication function. A selection means for selecting a connection setting registered in advance for use in a communication means for performing wireless communication with an external device is provided, and a process for performing wireless communication with the external device is selected and determined. In this process, a connection destination is selected. Since the process of establishing the wireless connection of the communication means by the connection setting of the connection destination is executed in the background of the process determined and determined, the process of the wireless connection and the process determined and determined are simultaneously performed. You can move on to communication processing in time.

  Further, in the imaging device according to claims 9 and 10, in the imaging device according to claim 8, in the process of performing wireless communication with the external device, selection of an image file to be transmitted to the external device is completed, and wireless communication of the communication unit is performed. When the process of establishing the connection is not completed, the process of performing wireless communication with the external device is stopped, and the connection means is displayed on the display unit until the process of the communication unit is completed, and the wireless communication with the external device is performed. In the process, when an error occurs in the process of establishing the wireless connection of the communication means during the selection of the image file to be transmitted to the external device, the wireless connection is established by warning the error after the selection of the image file is completed. Since the process of sending the selected image is stopped until the process is completed, the occurrence of an error in the wireless connection can be confirmed, and an error occurrence warning can be issued after the selection of the image file is completed. In, can be transmitted without the case of the process of connecting again, the selection processing of the image file.

  The imaging method according to claims 11 to 20 is the imaging method according to the imaging apparatus according to claims 1 to 10 described by dividing the imaging apparatus into steps. This is the same as the imaging device.

  According to the present invention, location information at a plurality of points from a plurality of GPS receiving devices is acquired, and by using this information, post-processing expandability in PDA or PC, and more efficient transmission processing can be performed. By doing so, there is an effect that the convenience can be improved.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1A is a top view, FIG. 1B is a front view, and FIG. 1C is a rear view showing the appearance of a digital camera that is an example of an imaging apparatus according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a block circuit diagram showing an outline of the system configuration inside the digital camera.

  The operation of the digital camera in the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.

  First, as shown in FIGS. 1A, 1B, and 1C, a release switch (release shutter) SW1, a mode dial switch SW2, and a sub LCD (liquid crystal display) 1 are provided on the upper surface of the digital camera body. It is arranged.

  In addition, a lens barrel unit 7 including an imaging lens, an optical viewfinder 4, a strobe light emitting unit 3, a distance measuring unit 5, and a remote control (remote control) light receiving unit 6 are provided on the front surface of the digital camera body.

  On the back of the digital camera, the power switch SW13, LCD monitor 10, AFLED8, strobe LED9, wide-angle zoom switch SW3, telephoto zoom switch SW4, self-timer switch SW5 for setting / deleting the self-timer, menu switch SW6, upward movement A strobe set switch SW7, a right movement switch SW8, a display switch SW9, a downward movement / macro switch SW10, a left movement / image confirmation switch SW11, and an OK switch SW12 are provided. A memory card / battery loading chamber lid 2 is provided on the side of the camera body.

  Since the function and operation of each member of the digital camera are known, the description thereof will be omitted, and the internal system configuration of the camera will be described with reference to FIG. 1 based on FIG.

  The lens barrel unit 7 includes a zoom optical system 71 including a zoom lens 71a for capturing an optical image of a subject and a zoom drive motor 71b, a focus optical system 72 including a focus lens 72a and a focus drive motor 72b, an aperture 73a, and an aperture motor 73b. A diaphragm unit 73, a mechanical shutter 74a, a mechanical shutter unit 74 including a mechanical shutter motor 74b, and a motor driver 75 for driving each motor are provided. The motor driver 75 is driven by a drive command from a CPU block 1043 in the digital still camera processor 104 (to be described later) based on an input from the remote control light receiving unit 6 or an operation input from an operation key unit (including operation switches SW1 to SW13). Be controlled.

  The ROM 108 stores a control program and parameters for control described in a code readable by the CPU block 1043. When the power of the digital camera is turned on, the program is loaded into a main memory (not shown), and the CPU block 1043 controls the operation of each part of the apparatus according to the program and temporarily stores data necessary for the control. The data is stored in the RAM 107 and a local SRAM 1044 in the digital still camera processor 104 described later. By using a rewritable flash ROM for the ROM 108, the control program and parameters for control can be changed, and the function can be easily upgraded.

  The CCD 101 is a solid-state imaging device for photoelectrically converting an optical image. The F / E (front end) -IC 102 is a CDS 1021 that performs correlated double sampling for image noise removal, an AGC 1022 that performs gain adjustment, and a digital signal conversion. The A / D 1023 and the first CCD signal processing block 1041 perform vertical synchronization signal (hereinafter referred to as VD) and horizontal synchronization signal (hereinafter referred to as HD), and are controlled by the CPU block 1043, and the F / E. -It has TG1024 which generates the drive timing signal of IC102.

  The digital still camera processor 104 performs white balance setting and gamma setting on the output data of the F / E-IC 102 from the CCD 101, and as described above, the first CCD signal processing block 1041 for supplying the VD signal and the HD signal, the filtering process Thus, the second CCD control block 1042 for converting to luminance data / color difference data, the CPU block 1043 for controlling the operation of each part of the device, the local SRAM 1044 for temporarily storing the data necessary for the control, USB block 1045 for USB communication with an external device such as a personal computer (hereinafter referred to as a personal computer), serial block 1046 for serial communication with an external device such as a personal computer, and JPEG CODEC block 1047 for JPEG compression / decompression A RESIZE block 1048 for enlarging / reducing the size of the image data by interpolation processing, a TV signal display block 1049 for converting the image data into a video signal for display on an external display device such as a liquid crystal monitor or TV, and the captured image data A memory card controller block 10410 for controlling a memory card to be recorded is included.

  The SDRAM 103 temporarily stores image data when the digital still camera processor 104 performs various processes on the image data. The image data stored here is, for example, “RAW-RGB image in a state in which white balance setting and gamma setting are performed in the first CCD signal processing block 1041 after fetching from the CCD 101 via the F / E-IC 102. Data ”,“ YUV image data ”in which luminance data / color difference data conversion has been performed in the second CCD control block 1042, JPEG compressed“ JPEG image data ”in the JPEGCODEC block 1047, and the like.

  The memory card throttle 121 is a throttle for mounting a removable memory card. In addition to the memory card, the memory card throttle 121 can also attach an IO card such as a removable LAN card, a wireless LAN card, or a Bluetooth communication card. The captured image can be transferred to an external device via the IO card.

  In addition, the Bluetooth communication circuit 130 provided in the apparatus main body is a wireless communication circuit for performing wireless communication with an external device in the same manner as the above-described Bluetooth communication card, and a photographed image is transmitted via the Bluetooth communication circuit 130 to the external device. Can be transferred to.

  The built-in memory 120 is a memory for storing captured image data even when no memory card is attached to the memory card throttle 121 described above.

  The LCD driver 117 is a drive circuit that drives the LCD monitor 10 described later, and also has a function of converting the video signal output from the TV signal display block 1049 into a signal to be displayed on the LCD monitor 10.

  The LCD monitor 10 is a monitor for monitoring the state of a subject before photographing, confirming a photographed image, displaying image data recorded in a memory card or the built-in memory 120 described above, and the like.

  The video AMP 118 is an amplifier for converting the impedance of the video signal output from the TV signal display block 1049 to 75Ω, and the video jack 119 is a jack for connecting to an external display device such as a TV.

  The USB connector 122 is a connector for performing USB connection with an external device such as a personal computer.

  The serial driver circuit 1231 is a circuit for converting the voltage of the output signal of the serial block 1046 described above in order to perform serial communication with an external device such as a personal computer. The RS-232C connector 1232 is connected to an external device such as a personal computer. This is a connector for serial connection.

  The sub CPU 109 is a CPU in which ROM / RAM is built in a single chip, and outputs the output signals of the operation key units (SW1 to SW13) and the remote control light receiving unit 6 to the CPU block 1043 described above as user operation information, The state of the camera output from the CPU block 1043 described above is converted into control signals for the sub LCD 1, AF LED 8, strobe LED 9, and buzzer 113, which will be described later, and output.

  The sub LCD 1 is a display unit for displaying, for example, the number of shootable images, and the LCD driver 111 is a drive circuit for driving the sub LCD 1 described above based on the output signal of the sub CPU 109 described above.

  The AFLED 8 is an LED for displaying a focus state at the time of photographing, and the strobe LED 9 is an LED for representing a strobe charging state. The AF LED 8 and the strobe LED 9 may be used for another display application such as when a memory card is being accessed.

  The operation key units (SW1 to SW13) are key circuits operated by the user, and the remote control light receiving unit 6 is a signal reception unit of the remote control transmitter operated by the user.

  The audio recording unit 115 includes a microphone 1153 to which a user inputs an audio signal, a microphone AMP 1152 that amplifies the input audio signal, and an audio recording circuit 1153 that records the amplified audio signal.

  The audio reproduction unit 116 includes an audio reproduction circuit 1161 that converts a recorded audio signal into a signal that can be output from a speaker, an audio AMP 1162 that amplifies the converted audio signal and drives the speaker, and a speaker 1163 that outputs the audio signal. Consists of.

  Connection to a device that performs Bluetooth communication is performed by the Bluetooth communication circuit 130. Alternatively, when the Bluetooth communication circuit 130 is not provided, a Bluetooth communication card can be connected to the memory card throttle 121 to connect to a Bluetooth communication device. Connection to Ethernet (registered trademark) is performed by an Ethernet (registered trademark) connection circuit or a wireless Ethernet (registered trademark) connection circuit (not shown). Alternatively, when there is no Ethernet (registered trademark) circuit, the memory card throttle 121 can be connected to a network by connecting a LAN card or a wireless LAN card.

  FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a PDA information terminal device having a photographing function, which is another example of the imaging device according to the first embodiment. The operation of the PDA information terminal apparatus will be described with reference to FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the PDA information terminal device includes a system bus 31, a CPU 32, a PROM 33 for storing a program, a RAM 34 for a work area for the program and data, a captured image file, a system file, and data. A built-in memory 35 for storing files and the like; a key I / F control unit 36 for detecting hard keys 37 such as a shutter and a zoom key; a camera unit 39; a camera control unit 38 for controlling the camera unit 39; An image compression / decompression control unit 42 that compresses an image captured from the unit 38 into JPEG or decompresses JPEG data stored in a memory, image data from the camera control unit 38, and an image compression / decompression control unit An image control unit 40 for outputting image data from 42 as a video signal to the LCD unit 41; A control unit 43, a USB cable 44 connected to the printer device 51, a CF (Compact Flash) control unit 45, a CF I / F 46, a communication card 47 inserted into the CF I / F 46, and an SD card control unit 18. An SD card I / F 49, an SD card 50 inserted into the SD card I / F 49, a printer device 51 connected to the PDA information terminal device via the USB cable 44 or the communication card 47, a microphone 53, and a microphone The A / D converter 52 converts the analog audio signal from the digital signal 53 into a digital signal.

  In normal shooting of the PDA information terminal device, the start of shooting is recognized by the hard key 37. An image is captured by the camera unit 39. The image control unit 40 converts the image signal output from the camera unit 39 into frame data such as RGB data or YCbCr data, performs necessary image processing, and then transfers the image data to the RAM 34. The transferred image data is compressed into image data such as JPEG by the image compression / decompression control unit 42 and transferred to the RAM 34 again. Image data such as JPEG stored in the RAM 34 is recorded on the SD card 50 via the built-in memory 35 or the SD card control unit 48 after performing necessary header processing.

  Compared to the block diagram of the digital camera shown in FIG. 2, the lens barrel unit 7 is in the camera unit 39, the F / E (front end) -IC 102 including the CCD 101 is in the camera control unit 38, and the first CCD signal processing block 1041. The second CCD signal processing block 1042 corresponds to the image control unit 40. 3 may be inferior in performance to the digital camera shown in FIG. 2, but the basic functions are the same.

  In the present invention, even if it is a digital camera or a PDA information terminal device, it can be realized if a basic photographing function is mounted.

  As a normal GPS function for acquiring GPS information of a GPS receiving device in the first embodiment, for example, GPS information can be taken into the apparatus from a GPS card mounted via the memory card throttle 121 shown in FIG. In the GPS function of the first embodiment, GPS information is taken into the apparatus by wireless communication wirelessly connected to an external GPS receiving device using the Bluetooth communication card mounted via the memory card throttle 121 of FIG. Alternatively, GPS information is taken into the apparatus by wireless communication wirelessly connected to an external GPS receiving device by the Bluetooth communication circuit 130 of FIG. Then, GPS information of the apparatus main body and GPS information from, for example, GPS receiving devices installed on a plurality of photographing objects can be fetched together.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a display example of GPS information according to the first embodiment in the standard display mode of OSD (On Screen Display). In the standard display mode shown in FIG. 4, for example, icon information (%) indicating the capture status of satellites, information indicating latitude and longitude (E: 135, N: 034), the number of captured satellites, and the number of visible satellites are displayed. Information (x4 (7)), information (3d) indicating the positioning dimension, and information (diff) indicating the positioning quality are displayed.

  FIG. 5 is a view showing a display example of the GPS information in the first embodiment in the OSD GPS display mode. In the GPS display mode shown in FIG. 5, for example, icon information (%) indicating the capture status of satellites and information indicating latitude and longitude (E: 135 ° 12′34.1 ″, N: 034 ° 12′34. 1 ″), information indicating the number of captured satellites and the number of visible satellites (x4 (7)), information indicating the positioning dimension (3d), information indicating the positioning quality (diff), and from which GPS receiving terminal A device name ([GPS1]) is displayed.

  The digital camera shown in FIG. 2 implements Bluetooth communication through the memory card throttle 121 using the attached Bluetooth communication card or using the Bluetooth communication circuit 130.

  FIG. 6 shows a Bluetooth protocol stack structure for performing communication by wireless connection in the first embodiment. As shown in FIG. 6, the Bluetooth protocol stack on the device side includes an HW device driver that directly controls hardware (HW), an HCI (Host Controller Interface) that controls communication between the host and the host controller, and a logical channel. L2CAP (Logical Link Control and Adaptation Protocol) for setting and dividing and assembling layer packets, RFCOMM for converting Bluetooth communication protocol to I / F such as RS232C, and OBEX (Transmission / Reception of data (object)) Object Exchange), SDP (Service Discovery Protocol) for searching for services of Bluetooth communication devices, DUN (Dial Up Network) for realizing dial-up communication, BIP (Basic Image Protocol) for transmitting / receiving images, It consists of SPP (Serial Port Profile) that realizes serial communication. That.

  As user applications, BIP applications that control image transmission / reception by controlling BIP, OPP applications that control file transmission / reception by controlling OBEX, and dial-up communication by controlling DUN Network applications, SPP applications that control the SPP to realize serial communication, and SDP applications that control the SDP and search for Bluetooth communication devices.

  The Bluetooth communication card via the memory card throttle 121 includes an HCI firmware for controlling communication between the host and the host controller, a link manager firmware for controlling establishment of a connection between the Bluetooth communication devices, It consists of a baseband controller that connects the physical radio part and the Bluetooth protocol.

  FIG. 7 shows a sequence diagram according to the SPP (Serial Port Profile) protocol between the imaging device (digital camera, PDA information terminal device with photographing function, etc.) according to the first embodiment and a GPS receiver. This SPP protocol provides a serial communication function of Bluetooth communication. Now, the imaging device requests a connection to the GPS receiving device using the Bluetooth communication SPP protocol. This connection request may be executed from the GPS receiving device side. After the wireless connection using the SPP protocol for Bluetooth communication is established between the imaging device and the GPS receiving device, GPS information (sentence data) is transmitted from the GPS receiving device to the imaging device by wireless communication.

  For example, in the standard display mode as shown in FIG. 4 described above, the GPS information received by the imaging apparatus includes icon information (%) indicating the capture status of the satellite and information indicating the latitude and longitude (E: 135). , N: 034), information indicating the number of captured satellites and the number of visible satellites (x4 (7)), information indicating the positioning dimension (3d), and information indicating the positioning quality (diff).

  When the user requests disconnection of the wireless connection by the SPP protocol of Bluetooth communication or when the apparatus is turned off, the imaging device requests the GPS receiving device to disconnect by the SPP protocol of Bluetooth communication. This disconnection request may be executed from the GPS receiving device side.

  FIG. 8 shows an example of the data format of GPS information in the first embodiment. The data format shown in FIG. 8 is used in the sequence of the Bluetooth communication SPP protocol shown in FIG. The data format of the GPS information is, for example, a standard such as NMEA (National Maritime Electronics Association) format, and is a character string format of ASCII code. The GPS receiving device transmits data according to the data format shown in FIG. 8, and the imaging apparatus displays GPS information as shown in FIG. 4 according to the data format shown in FIG.

  FIG. 9 is a sequence diagram of multi-connection according to the SPP protocol of the Bluetooth communication according to the first embodiment. As described above, the SPP protocol provides a Bluetooth communication serial communication function, and the imaging apparatus requests each GPS receiver to establish a connection using the Bluetooth communication SPP protocol. This connection may be executed from each GPS receiving device side. Then, after wireless connection is established between the imaging device and the first GPS receiving device using the SPP protocol for Bluetooth communication, GPS information (sense data) is transmitted from the first GPS receiving device to the imaging device by wireless communication.

  For example, in the standard display mode as shown in FIG. 4 described above, the GPS information received by the imaging apparatus includes icon information (%) indicating the capture status of the satellite and information indicating the latitude and longitude (E: 135). N: 034), information indicating the number of captured satellites and the number of visible satellites (x4 (7)), information indicating the positioning dimension (3d), and information indicating the positioning quality (diff).

  Thereafter, when the user requests disconnection of the wireless connection by the SPP protocol of the Bluetooth communication or when the apparatus is turned off, the imaging device requests the disconnection by the SPP protocol of the Bluetooth communication from the first GPS receiving device. .

  The above is the transfer processing of GPS information using the SPP protocol for Bluetooth communication between the imaging device and the first GPS receiver device. In the case of the SPP protocol for Bluetooth communication, the GPS device receives GPS signals from the imaging device to a plurality of GPS receiver devices. It is possible to simultaneously execute the same communication performed by the receiving device 1. In the state of being connected simultaneously, GPS information from a plurality of GPS receiving devices is received. However, in the SPP protocol of Bluetooth communication, it is possible to distinguish which GPS receiving device has received the GPS information.

  In addition, the imaging apparatus of the first embodiment is a point-to-point between a plurality of GPS receiving devices having a wireless communication function and an imaging apparatus having a wireless communication function and a photographing function that can be connected to a plurality of connection destinations. -Information can be exchanged by wireless communication using a protocol wireless connection. As shown in FIG. 9, wireless communication is performed by a point-to-point protocol wireless connection with a plurality of GPS receiving devices in the imaging apparatus. The imaging apparatus receives GPS information (sentence data) from the first to third GPS receivers using wireless communication after establishment of this wireless connection (SPP protocol). The GPS information received from the first to third GPS receiving devices is classified by the imaging device from other information including the GPS information of the imaging device main body and displayed in real time.

  For example, the device name ([GPS1]) of the GPS receiving device is displayed in addition to the GPS information as shown in FIG. It is also possible to automatically prepare a plurality of GPS receiving devices that are wirelessly connected to such a display screen, and switch them alternately using hard keys. At this time, an appropriate one of GPS information at a plurality of points is displayed as position information in the imaging device. The device name of the recognized GPS receiving device terminal may be changed in color when displayed. The GPS information received from a plurality of GPS receiving devices at the time of shooting by the imaging device is converted into this GPS information and other information (for example, GPS information of the imaging device itself as auxiliary information related to GPS information in the file format of the EXIF standard). Attach to the image data automatically taken after classification. At this time, the GPS information designated as the position information by the imaging device is attached to an area that can be uniquely defined for each manufacturer in accordance with the EXIF standard, which is a header standard for captured image data.

  Other information (GPS information of the imaging device itself) does not have to be in a format that conforms to the EXIF standard, and uses a unique format to classify and set together with GPS information for a plurality of GPS receiving device terminals. You may do it. It is possible to obtain accurate information such as a shooting location, a shooting direction, and a shooting distance in post-processing by a PC or PDA by using GPS information of a plurality of points attached to the shot image data.

  In addition, it is possible to perform wireless communication by a point-to-point protocol wireless connection with a plurality of GPS receiving devices in the imaging device, and select and switch GPS information of the imaging device by a user operation after the wireless connection is established. . In the above description, for example, the device name of the GPS receiving device is displayed in addition to the GPS information as shown in FIG. A plurality of GPS receiving devices connected to such a display screen are automatically prepared and switched to a toggle using a hard key. Furthermore, an appropriate one of the GPS information at a plurality of points is recognized as position information in the imaging device. However, when the user operates a hard key, a plurality of information currently recognized by the imaging device is recognized. It is also possible to select from GPS information or a GPS receiving device.

  Further, when the GPS information in the plurality of GPS receiving devices is changed from the positioning to the non-positioning, or when the wireless connection between the plurality of GPS receiving devices and the imaging device is disconnected, the GPS information during positioning is held in the memory. When GPS information from a plurality of GPS receiving devices has not been measured and is not normally received, and GPS information that has been previously measured or has been received normally is stored in the memory, The GPS information stored in is used as the GPS information from the GPS receiving device, displayed in real time, and attached to the shooting data. By performing the above processing, when attaching GPS information of a plurality of points to shooting data, GPS information of a plurality of points can be attached to the shooting data even when GPS information from a GPS receiving device cannot be obtained. This makes it possible to improve the extensibility and convenience of post-processing of captured images on a PC or PDA. Furthermore, the GPS information stored in the memory can also be selected and switched by a user operation.

  In addition, when using GPS information stored in the above-described memory, identification information is given so that it can be distinguished from GPS information obtained from a GPS receiver. For example, as the identification information, GPS status at the time of non-positioning, status information when wireless connection by Bluetooth communication cannot be established, or the like is used. Thereby, it becomes easy to distinguish whether or not the GPS information attached to the image data is held in the memory. Note that GPS information can be acquired if the imaging apparatus itself has the function of a GPS receiving device, but it may be acquired by wireless connection with the GPS receiving device described above. It can also be attached to display and image data.

  As Embodiment 2 of the present invention, image data attached with GPS information in the imaging apparatus of Embodiment 1 is recorded as an image file in a recording unit, and the image file is stored in an external device such as a PC or PDA that performs post-processing of the captured image. The transmission process will be described.

  Connection to a wireless network that communicates with an external device to send an image file according to the second embodiment is performed using connection settings registered in advance in the imaging apparatus. In this connection setting, what has been edited in advance by a PC or the like is saved in the RAM 107 shown in FIG. 2 inside the imaging apparatus, or edited on the imaging apparatus and saved in the RAM 107. An example of connection setting is shown in FIG.

  In the example illustrated in FIG. 10, three types of connection destinations “connection destination 1.”, “connection destination 2.”, and “connection destination 3.” are registered. The connection name is a name given so that it is easy to understand which connection is used when selecting a connection destination. The wireless connection mode is set to use the Infrastructure mode or AdHoc mode in the wireless LAN. In ESS-ID (Extended Service Set Identifier), an ESS-ID used in a wireless connection mode is set. As the communication channel, channel setting in the wireless LAN is set. In the encryption, what is used for the encryption method is set. A WEP (Wired Equivalent Privacy) key is an encryption key.

  FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing a procedure of communication processing with an external device according to the second embodiment. First, when the image pickup apparatus is powered on (S1), the image pickup apparatus enters an image reproduction state. In this state, when the menu switch SW6 in FIG. 1C is selected and a key is pressed (S2), a wireless network connection destination selection screen (see FIG. 12) is displayed (S3).

  Simultaneously with the display of the connection destination selection screen in the process S3, the wireless network connection process shown in FIG. 13 is started. The imaging apparatus remembers the connection destination of the last connected wireless network, and starts connection processing to the last connected wireless network based on this connection setting. The wireless network connection process of FIG. 13 is performed in parallel with the wireless network connection destination selection process (S4, S5) performed after process S3.

  In the flowchart of the connection process to the wireless network of FIG. 13, first, it is performed by the wireless connection procedure of the connection setting connected last time (S15). This wireless connection procedure is performed according to the procedure of the wireless standard such as “IEEE 802.11b, g”. Then, a network setting request is issued to the DHCP server, and the network setting is acquired (S16). And it connects with a network by the acquired network setting (S17). This completes the procedure for wireless connection to the wireless network.

  When the selection process is continued while performing the connection process to the wireless network in the background, the connection destination selection process (S4, S5) of the wireless network shown in FIG. 11 is performed.

  After the wireless network connection destination selection screen (see FIG. 12) is displayed, the user of the imaging apparatus uses, for example, the upper and lower movement switches SW7 and 10 in FIG. (Connection setting) is selected (S4). When the OK switch SW12 is pressed, the connection destination of the wireless network is determined (S5).

  When the connection destination of the wireless network is determined in step S5, the wireless network connection state performed in the background is confirmed (S6). In the process S6, when the connection destination processed in the background and the connection destination selected in the process S5 are the same, and the connection process of the background wireless network is not completed, the display unit displays the connection process until the connection process is completed. “Connecting” shown in FIG. 14 is displayed (S7).

If the connection destination processed in the background is different from the connection destination selected in the process S5 in the process S6, the connection process of the wireless network performed in the background is interrupted, and the connection destination selected in the process S5. The wireless network connection processing is started with the connection setting (S8). Until the connection process is completed, the display of “Connecting” in FIG. 14 is performed (S9).
Then, in the process S6, the background wireless network connection process is completed, the background connection process is completed during the display of “connected” in the process S7, and the processes S8 and S9 in the process S5. When the connection processing of the wireless network with the selected connection destination is completed, the next processing (S10), for example, processing such as selection processing of an image file to be transmitted to an external device is performed.

  In addition, after the display of the process S3 connection destination selection screen, a key operation for selecting a process different from the process of selecting the connection destination of the wireless network is performed. When the selection process is canceled, the process of selecting the connection destination of the wireless network is canceled. In step S11, the process of connecting to the background wireless network is also canceled (S12), and the process returns to the image reproduction state (process S2) to wait for the next operation instruction.

  FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing a procedure of communication processing with another external device according to the second embodiment. When the power of the imaging device is turned on (S21), the imaging device enters an image reproduction state. In this state, when the menu switch SW6 in FIG. 1C is selected and a key is pressed (S22), a communication mode selection screen (see FIG. 16) is displayed to transmit the image file. In the communication mode selection screen shown in FIG. 16, it is selected whether to send an image to a printer for printing or to send an image to a PC or the like. The user of the imaging apparatus selects the communication mode using, for example, the up / down movement switches SW7 and SW10 in FIG. When the OK switch SW12 is pressed, the communication mode to be processed is determined (S23).

  When the communication mode is determined, a screen for selecting a connection destination of a wireless network with an external device (see FIG. 12) is further displayed. Similarly, the user uses the downward movement switches SW7 and 10 to select a connection destination (connection setting) of the wireless network. When the OK switch SW12 is pressed, the connection destination of the wireless network is determined (S24).

  When the connection destination of the wireless network is determined, the image file recorded in the recorded recording means is reproduced, and processing for selecting an image file to be transmitted is performed (S25). At the same time, connection processing to the wireless network is started in the background with the selected connection setting. The connection process to the wireless network is performed in parallel with the process of selecting an image file in process S23, for example, the process of selecting an image file to be printed (S26, S27).

  By selecting the image file to be transmitted in the process 26 and pressing the right and left movement switches SW8 and 11 in FIG. 1C, the previous image and the next image are displayed on the LCD monitor 10, and image printing (transmission) is performed. ) To select an image file. When the OK switch SW12 is pressed, an image file is determined (S27).

  In the above description, the process of selecting one of the image files to be transmitted has been described. However, there may be a case where the image file is selected on a multi-screen displaying a plurality of image files. To select multiple images on the multi-screen, select the image to be sent with the up / down / left / right keys (up / down / left / right movement switches SW7, 10, 11, 8) on the multi-screen and send it with the display switch SW9. Determine the image file to be used. A plurality of image files can be selected by repeatedly selecting and determining image files to be transmitted. When the OK switch SW12 is pressed, an image file to be printed (transmitted) is determined.

  In addition, when the cancel process is performed by the user during the selection process of the image file to be transmitted (for example, the menu switch SW6 is pressed) (S28), the wireless network connection process performed in the background. (S29), and the process returns to the normal image reproduction state (S22) waiting for the next operation instruction.

  In step S27, when an image file to be printed (transmitted) is determined, the background connection state is confirmed (S30). If connection processing to the wireless network is not completed, the connection is completed. A screen during connection (see FIG. 14) is displayed (S31).

  Also, the wireless network connection error is confirmed (S32), and if there is a connection error in the wireless network while the image file to be transmitted is selected, no error is displayed at that time, and the image file to be transmitted is determined. Then, an error warning is issued (S33), and the process returns to the normal image reproduction state (S22) waiting for the next operation instruction.

  When there is an error warning, the selected transmission image is stored in the storage means, and when the image file to be transmitted again is selected, the previously selected image file is selected. . If there is no error warning, a transmission start decision screen is displayed (S34).

  As described above, it is possible to efficiently perform processing for transmitting an image file with GPS information attached to an external device.

  The imaging apparatus and the imaging method according to the present invention acquire location information at a plurality of points from a plurality of GPS receivers, and use this information to expand scalability and further efficiency of a PDA or PC. By performing a typical transmission process, the convenience can be improved, and it is useful for acquiring each information of an image file having GPS information or the like by wireless communication.

1A is a top view, FIG. 1B is a front view, and FIG. 1C is a rear view showing the appearance of a digital camera that is an example of an imaging apparatus according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. Block circuit diagram showing the outline of the system configuration inside the digital camera FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a PDA information terminal device having a photographing function, which is another example of the imaging device according to the first embodiment. The figure which shows the example of a display by the standard display mode of OSD in the GPS information in this Embodiment 1. The figure which shows the example of a display by the GPS display mode of OSD in the GPS information in this Embodiment 1. The figure which shows the Bluetooth protocol stack structure which carries out the wireless connection in this Embodiment 1, and communicates The figure which shows the sequence by the SPP protocol of the imaging device which is this Embodiment 1, and a GPS receiving device. The figure which shows the example of the data format of the GPS information in this Embodiment 1. The figure which shows the sequence of the multi connection by the SPP protocol of Bluetooth communication which is this Embodiment 1. The figure which shows the example of a connection setting registered beforehand of a wireless network The flowchart which shows the procedure of the communication process with the external apparatus in Embodiment 2 of this invention. The figure which shows the example of a screen display of the connection destination selection of a wireless network Flow chart of connection processing to the wireless network performed in the background Figure showing a screen display example of "Connecting" The flowchart which shows the procedure of the communication process with the other external apparatus in this Embodiment 2. Figure showing a screen display example of communication mode selection

Explanation of symbols

10 LCD monitor 103 SDRAM
107 RAM
121 Memory card throttle 130 Bluetooth communication circuit 1043 CPU block SW1-14 Operation key

Claims (20)

It has a wireless communication function that can communicate with multiple connection destinations and a shooting function that captures subject images and obtains image data, and wirelessly connects to GPS receivers that have wireless communication functions using a point-to-point protocol. In an imaging device that exchanges information by wireless communication,
Connection means for establishing a point-to-point protocol wireless connection with the plurality of GPS receiving devices; acquisition means for acquiring GPS information from the GPS receiving device by wireless communication after the establishment of the wireless connection; An image pickup apparatus comprising: display means for displaying GPS information acquired from a GPS receiving device in real time; and attachment means for attaching GPS information acquired from the GPS receiving device to the image data obtained at the time of photographing. .   A switching means for selecting and switching GPS information acquired from the plurality of GPS receiving devices based on a user operation is provided, and the GPS information displayed on the display means and attached to the image data is selected and switched. Item 2. The imaging device according to Item 1.   Holding means for holding GPS information acquired from the plurality of GPS receiving devices, and when the GPS information from the GPS receiving device is changed from positioning to non-positioning information, or the wireless connection with the GPS receiving device is disconnected 2. The image pickup apparatus according to claim 1, wherein when the image data is received, the GPS information held by the holding means is displayed by the display means, and the image data is attached by the attaching means.   4. A switch means for selecting and switching a plurality of GPS information held by the holding means based on a user's operation, wherein the GPS information displayed on the display means and selected and attached to the image data is switched. The imaging device described.   When using the GPS information held by the holding unit, the display unit includes an adding unit that adds identification information indicating that the GPS information is held by the holding unit, and the GPS unit can be distinguished by the adding unit. 4. The image pickup apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the image pickup apparatus is displayed on the screen and attached to the image data. Recording means for attaching GPS information to the image data obtained by the photographing function and recording it as an image file; and selecting means for selecting a pre-registered connection setting used by the communication means for performing wireless communication with an external device by the wireless communication function With
The process for establishing a wireless connection of the communication means is executed by a connection setting of a previous connection in the background of the selected process at the same time as a process for performing a wireless communication with the external device is selected. Item 6. The imaging device according to any one of Items 1 to 5.   7. The imaging according to claim 6, wherein when the process of performing wireless communication with the external device is canceled during the process of establishing the wireless connection of the communication unit, the process of establishing the wireless connection is stopped. apparatus. Selection for selecting pre-registered connection settings used by recording means for attaching GPS information to image data obtained by the photographing function and recording it as an image file, and communication means for performing wireless communication with an external device by the wireless communication function With means,
A process of performing wireless communication with the external device is selected and determined, and a connection destination is selected in the process, and at the same time, the wireless connection of the communication means is performed according to the connection setting of the connection destination in the background of the selected and determined process. The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a process for establishing the image is executed.   In the process of performing wireless communication with the external device, when the selection of the image file to be transmitted to the external device is completed and the process of establishing the wireless connection of the communication unit is not completed, wireless communication with the external device is performed. 9. The imaging apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the processing is stopped and the connection means is displayed on the display means until the processing of the communication means is completed.   In the process of performing wireless communication with the external device, when an error occurs in the process of establishing a wireless connection of the communication means during the selection of the image file to be transmitted to the external device, the error occurs after the selection of the image file is completed. The imaging apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the warning is performed. It has a wireless communication function that can communicate with multiple connection destinations and a shooting function that captures subject images and obtains image data, and wirelessly connects to GPS receivers that have wireless communication functions using a point-to-point protocol. In an imaging method of an apparatus for exchanging information by wireless communication,
Establishing point-to-point protocol wireless connection with the plurality of GPS receiving devices by connecting means, and acquiring GPS information from the GPS receiving device by wireless communication after the wireless connection is established by acquiring means And displaying the GPS information acquired from the GPS receiving device on the display means in real time, and attaching the GPS information acquired from the GPS receiving device by the attaching means to the image data obtained at the time of photographing. An imaging method characterized by the above.   5. The method according to claim 1, further comprising a step of selecting and switching the GPS information acquired from the plurality of GPS receiving devices based on a user operation, wherein the GPS information displayed on the display unit and attached to the image data is selected and switched. Item 12. The imaging method according to Item 11.   A step of holding GPS information acquired from the plurality of GPS receiving devices in a holding unit, and when the GPS information from the GPS receiving device is changed from positioning to non-positioning information, or wirelessly with the GPS receiving device 12. The imaging method according to claim 11, wherein when the connection is disconnected, the GPS information held by the holding means is used for display by display means and the attachment means is attached to the image data.   14. The method according to claim 13, further comprising a step of selecting and switching a plurality of GPS information held by the holding means based on a user operation, wherein the GPS information displayed on the display means and selected and attached to the image data is switched. The imaging method described.   When using the GPS information held by the holding means, a step of giving identification information indicating that the GPS information is held by the holding means is provided by the assigning means, and the GPS information can be distinguished and displayed on the display means 14. The imaging method according to claim 13, wherein the imaging method is attached to the image data. Attaching GPS information to the image data obtained by the photographing function and recording the image data as an image file; and selecting a pre-registered connection setting used by a communication unit that performs wireless communication with an external device by the wireless communication function; Have
The process for establishing a wireless connection of the communication means is executed by a connection setting of a previous connection in the background of the selected process at the same time as a process for performing a wireless communication with the external device is selected. Item 16. The imaging method according to any one of Items 11 to 15.   17. The imaging according to claim 16, wherein when the process of performing wireless communication with the external device is canceled during the process of establishing a wireless connection of the communication unit, the process of establishing the wireless connection is stopped. Method. Attaching GPS information to the image data obtained by the photographing function and recording the image data as an image file; and selecting a pre-registered connection setting used by a communication unit that performs wireless communication with an external device by the wireless communication function; Have
A process of performing wireless communication with the external device is selected and determined, and a connection destination is selected in the process, and at the same time, the wireless connection of the communication means is performed according to the connection setting of the connection destination in the background of the selected and determined process. The imaging method according to any one of claims 11 to 15, wherein a process of establishing the above is executed.   In the process of performing wireless communication with the external device, when the selection of the image file to be transmitted to the external device is completed and the process of establishing the wireless connection of the communication unit is not completed, wireless communication with the external device is performed. 19. The imaging method according to claim 18, wherein the processing is stopped and the connection means is displayed on the display means until the processing of the communication means is completed.   In the process of performing wireless communication with the external device, when an error occurs in the process of establishing a wireless connection of the communication means during the selection of the image file to be transmitted to the external device, the error occurs after the selection of the image file is completed. The imaging method according to claim 18, wherein the warning is performed.

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