Electronic camera

Inactive Publication Date: 2004-03-18
NIKON CORP
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  • Summary
  • Abstract
  • Description
  • Claims
  • Application Information

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

When an image of, for example, 1 Mbyte or more per frame is transferred to such external transfer destinations, a problem of a long transfer time arises.
Therefore, in a case where an image with substantially the same pixel density as images used with a personal computer or a printer is transferred to a cellular phone, the cellular phone cannot receive the image because the image data exceeds its data capacity, resulting in data loss.
This consequently doubles the number of images to be managed in the electronic camera, and there arises a problem that management of images in the electronic camera may be compl

Method used

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Experimental program
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Effect test

first embodiment

[0190] As described above, in the first embodiment, a new derivative image for transfer is generated by reducing the resolution of the original image. The MPU 21 changes the initial letter "D" of the file name of the original image to the initial letter "S" or the like for the derivative image to generate the file name of the derivative image. The original image and the derivative image are recorded on the memory card 19 in such a manner that both the images get associated with each other by the file name rule.

[0191] Therefore, by tracing back the associations by this file name rule, the file manipulation done to the original image can be automatically applied to its derivative image. As a result, the user need not separately perform file manipulation for the original image and the derivative image, which realizes saving labor taken for managing the derivative image.

[0192] Especially, in the first embodiment, in response to the erase of the original image, its corresponding derivati...

second embodiment

[0202] Hereinafter, the relation between the inventions and the second embodiment will be explained. Note that the relation here only illustrates one interpretation for reference, and is not intended to limit the present invention more than necessary.

[0203] An imaging unit described in the claims corresponds to an image sensor 13, a timing generator 13a, an image processing unit 14, an A / D converting unit 15, and a DSP 16.

[0204] A derivative image generating unit described in the claims corresponds to `a function of generating a derivative image` of an MPU 21 (or the DSP 16).

[0205] A recording unit described in the claims corresponds to `a function of file management of a memory card 19` of the MPU 21.

[0206] A transfer unit described in the claims corresponds to an interface 32.

[0207] A storage space monitoring unit described in the claims corresponds to `a function of monitoring an available storage space of the memory card 19` of the MPU 21.

[0208] A control unit described in the c...

third embodiment

[0242] A third embodiment is an embodiment of an electronic camera corresponding to the inventions of claims 14 and 18.

[0243] Note that the configuration of the electronic camera in the third embodiment is the same as that in the first embodiment (FIG. 1 and FIG. 2), and therefore, the configuration description thereof will be omitted here.

[0244] [Relation with the Invention]

[0245] Hereinafter, the relation between the invention and the third embodiment will be explained. It should be noted that the relation here only illustrates one interpretation for reference and is not intended to limit the present invention more than necessary.

[0246] An imaging unit described in the claims corresponds to an image sensor 13, a timing generator 13a, an image processing unit 14, an A / D converting unit 15, and a DSP 16.

[0247] A derivative image generating unit described in the claims corresponds to `a function of generating a derivative image` of an MPU 21 (or the DSP 16).

[0248] A transfer unit des...

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Abstract

An electronic camera of the present invention includes: an imaging unit capturing a subject to generate an original image; a derivative image generating unit reducing resolution or color of the original image to generate a derivative image for transfer; a recording unit recording the original image and the derivative image thereon such that the original image and the derivative image get associated with each other; and a transfer unit transferring the derivative image recorded on the recording unit to an external transfer destination. In this configuration, the recording unit finds the derivative image (original image) by referring to the association with the original image (or derivative image), thereby collectively managing the original image and the derivative image. This makes it possible to prevent a user from being confused at image management due to the original image and the derivative image being the same image.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to an electronic camera which generates derivative images for external transfer from captured original images. The present invention particularly relates to an image managing technology, an image displaying technology, and a user interface technology for these derivative images.DESCRIPTION OF THE RELATED ART[0002] In recent years, the pixel density of an electronic camera tends to increase more and more. With this increase in the pixel density, a file space of an image generated in an electronic camera amounts to 1 Mbyte or more even after compression.[0003] Images generated in an electronic camera are outputted to a personal computer, a printer, a mass memory unit, a cellular phone, a digital photograph server on the Internet, and so on when necessary.[0004] When an image of, for example, 1 Mbyte or more per frame is transferred to such external transfer destinations, a problem of a long transfer time arises.[0005] Further, for example, a cellul...

Claims

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Application Information

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IPC IPC(8): H04N5/765H04N5/77H04N5/907H04N5/92H04N9/804H04N9/82
CPCH04N5/765H04N5/772H04N9/8227H04N5/9205H04N9/8042H04N5/907
Inventor EJIMA, SATOSHIUMEYAMA, KAZUYAKAWAHARA, TAKUMIKUROIWA, TOSHIHISAKOBAYASHI, TOSHIAKIKOBAYASHI, HIROTAKEKAWAMURA, TOMOAKI
Owner NIKON CORP
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