Communication apparatus, control method thereof, storage medium, and computer program product

Abstract

The invention provides a communication apparatus, a control method thereof, a storage medium, and a computer program product. The communication apparatus communicates with the external apparatus, and performs control to obtain a divided file from the first external apparatus when the divided file sequentially generated by dividing the continuous time series data has been generated in the first external apparatus. When the split file is obtained, the apparatus transfers the split file to the second external apparatus. When a first split file is generated in a first external device and the first split file is not a specific split file, the device obtains a split file from the specific split file to the first split file.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a communication device, a method for controlling a communication device, a storage medium and a computer program product. Background Art

[0002] A technology is known in which an image capture device such as a digital video camera has a wireless communication function and sends a moving image file (hereinafter also referred to as a "block record") of a moving image captured by the image capture device that has been divided and recorded at a predetermined time to an external device (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2022-96304). By using the technology disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2022-96304, the image capture device can efficiently send a moving image to an external device.

[0003] The moving image files generated by block recording (hereinafter also referred to as "block moving image files") can be processed as a single moving image by combining these files in the destination external device. Therefore, the destination external device needs to collect a set of a series of files including from the start block moving image file to the end block moving image file, and if some block moving image files are missing, these files cannot be correctly combined in the external device.

[0004] In addition, a system is known in which, when shooting images on site in the mass media industry, moving images, audio, and other such files (time series data) captured and recorded by an image capture device are sent to a communication device such as a smartphone and stored in the device, and then these files are sent from the communication device to a server via a network. In such a system, in order to ensure that the block motion image files generated by the image capture device can be transmitted without any file loss and combined in the server, the communication device needs to properly control the transmission of the block motion image files. However, the above-mentioned Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2022-96304 does not consider the transmission of block motion image files by the communication device. Summary of the invention

[0005] In view of the above-mentioned problems, the present invention provides a technology which can prevent a situation in which a file required for combining is lost when time-series data such as a moving image file is transferred to an external device.

[0006] In order to solve the above-mentioned problem, one aspect of the present disclosure provides a communication device, including: a communication unit, which is configured to communicate with an external device; a control unit, which is configured to, when a split file sequentially generated by splitting continuous time series data has been generated in the first external device, execute control to obtain the split file from the first external device through the communication unit; and a transmission unit, which is configured to, when the split file is obtained, transmit the split file to a second external device through the communication unit, wherein, when a first split file has been generated in the first external device and the first split file is not a specific split file, the control unit obtains the split file generated from the time series data, from the specific split file to the first split file.

[0007] Another aspect of the present disclosure provides a method for controlling a communication device, the communication device including a communication unit configured to communicate with an external device, the method including: when split files sequentially generated by splitting continuous time series data have been generated in a first external device, executing control to obtain the split files from the first external device through the communication unit; and when the split files are obtained, transmitting the split files to a second external device through the communication unit, wherein the control includes, when a first split file has been generated in the first external device and the first split file is not a specific split file, obtaining split files generated from the time series data from a specific split file to the first split file.

[0008] Another aspect of the present disclosure provides a non-volatile computer-readable storage medium storing instructions for executing a method for controlling a communication device, the communication device including a communication unit configured to communicate with an external device, the method including: when split files sequentially generated by splitting continuous time series data have been generated in a first external device, executing control to obtain the split files from the first external device through the communication unit; and when the split files are obtained, transmitting the split files to a second external device through the communication unit, wherein the control includes, when a first split file has been generated in the first external device and the first split file is not a specific split file, obtaining split files generated from the time series data from a specific split file to the first split file.

[0009] According to another aspect of the present disclosure, a computer program product is provided, comprising a computer program / command, which causes a processor to execute a method of controlling a communication device when the processor executes the computer program / command, wherein the communication device comprises a communication unit configured to communicate with an external device, the method comprising: when a segmented file sequentially generated by segmenting continuous time series data has been generated in a first external device, executing control to obtain the segmented file from the first external device through the communication unit; and when the segmented file is obtained, transmitting the segmented file to a second external device through the communication unit, wherein the control comprises, when a first segmented file has been generated in the first external device and the first segmented file is not a specific segmented file, obtaining a segmented file generated from the time series data and from the specific segmented file to the first segmented file.

[0010] According to the present invention, when time series data such as moving image files are transferred to an external device, it is possible to prevent a situation in which files required for combination are lost.

[0011] Further features of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of exemplary embodiments with reference to the attached drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0012] Figure 1 is a conceptual diagram showing the configuration of the system according to the first embodiment.

[0013] Figure 2A and Figure 2B A block diagram showing a configuration example of an image capturing apparatus according to the first embodiment and a diagram showing an appearance example of the image capturing apparatus are respectively shown.

[0014] Figure 3 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of a communication device according to the first embodiment.

[0015] Figure 4A and Figure 4B is a diagram showing block recording according to the first embodiment.

[0016] Figure 5AA An example of a screen in a transmission application controlled by the communication device according to the first embodiment is shown.

[0017] Figure 5AB An example of a screen in a transmission application controlled by the communication device according to the first embodiment is shown.

[0018] Figure 5B An example of a screen in a transmission application controlled by the communication device according to the first embodiment is shown.

[0019] Fig. 6A and Figure 6Bis a sequence diagram showing an operation example in a transmission process performed between devices according to the first embodiment.

[0020] Figure 7 is a flowchart showing a series of operations of the communication device when transmitting a block record file and a metadata file according to the first embodiment.

[0021] Fig. 8A and Figure 8B is a sequence diagram showing an operation example in a transmission process performed between devices according to the second embodiment.

[0022] Fig. 9 is a flowchart showing a series of operations of the communication device when transmitting a block record file and a metadata file according to the second embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0023] Hereinafter, the embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Note that the following embodiments are not intended to limit the scope of the claimed invention. A plurality of features are described in the embodiments, but the invention requiring all of these features is not limited, and a plurality of such features may be appropriately combined. In addition, in the accompanying drawings, the same reference numerals are assigned to the same or similar configurations, and redundant descriptions thereof are omitted.

[0024] First embodiment

[0025] Overview of Block Motion Image File Transfer

[0026] First, an overview of the block motion image file transmission according to the present embodiment will be given. At the scene of shooting images in mass media industries such as news companies and telecommunications companies, it is necessary to quickly deliver the content shot at the interview site to the news company, etc., and a file transmission solution using network communication is currently being provided. Specifically, the image / motion image / audio file shot and recorded by the image capture device is sent to a communication device such as a smartphone and stored in the device. The provided mobile application sends these files from the communication device to an external FTP server via a network. This mobile application includes a function that automatically performs the following series of processes (hereinafter also referred to as a "shooting / automatic transmission function"). In the shooting / automatic transmission function, the mobile application receives a notification of the completion of recording of the motion image file from the image capture device using, for example, a picture transfer protocol (PTP / IP) based on the Internet protocol. Then the motion image file is obtained, and the obtained motion image file is transferred to an external FTP server. By activating the shooting / automatic transmission function, the user can automatically deliver the captured file to an external destination without performing an operation of selecting a file.

[0027] However, the block motion image files generated by block recording are usually combined at the destination and processed as a single motion image. Therefore, at the time of delivery, it is necessary to collect a set of files including a series of files from the starting block motion image file to the ending block motion image file. If some files of the block motion image file are lost at the time of delivery, these files cannot be correctly combined at the destination. When the shooting / automatic transmission function is activated, a notification of the completion of recording of the motion image file can be received from the image capture device. Thereafter, when the communication device receives the notification of the completion of recording of the motion image file from the image capture device, the motion image file is obtained from the image capture device and transmitted to the external FTP server. If the processing sequence of the shooting / automatic transmission function is also applied to the block recording, for example, the block recording may have been started on the image capture device side at the time of activating the function. In this case, the communication device cannot receive the notification of the completion of recording of the block motion image files recorded before the function was activated from the image capture device. For example, if the motion image files for which the notification of the completion of recording has been received are obtained as they are and transmitted to the external device, these files will eventually be delivered in a state where the earlier block motion image files required for the destination combination are lost.

[0028] In order to prevent the block motion image file from being lost, when the block motion image file is generated in the image capture device, the communication device determines whether the file is a specific block motion image file (e.g., a start file). If the file is not a specific block motion image file, a block motion image file generated from the motion image, from the (e.g., start) block motion image file to the generated block motion image file block, is obtained. Then, the obtained series of block motion image files are transmitted to the server. This will be described in detail below.

[0029] Although an example of transmitting a moving image file will be described below, the present embodiment is not limited to moving images, but can also be applied when block recording is applied to time series data including moving images, audio, and other such data. In this case, the block moving image file corresponds to a divided file generated in sequence by dividing the continuous time series data.

[0030] System Configuration Example

[0031] Will refer to Figure 1 A configuration example of the system according to the first embodiment is described. Figure 1 , 100 denotes an image capturing device such as a digital video camera. As will be described later, the image capturing device may be a different device as long as the device is configured to be able to obtain time series data such as a moving image. 200 denotes a communication device such as a mobile terminal having a communication function, such as a smartphone. 300 denotes a server serving as an example of an image storage device, which may be installed at a connection destination connected via a communication network such as the Internet.

[0032] exist Figure 1 In the embodiment, the image capture device 100 and the communication device 200 are connected by a hard-line cable, Wi-Fi, or the like, and are capable of communicating in a wired or wireless manner. For example, the image capture device 100 may transmit a motion image file, a metadata file, or the like generated by the image capture device 100 to the communication device 200. The communication device 200 and the server 300 may communicate using a wireless LAN, mobile communication, or the like. For example, the communication device 200 may transmit information stored in the communication device 200 to the server 300 using a communication protocol such as FTP. However, please note that the system configuration is not limited to the above example, and the process for transferring files between devices may be implemented by connecting the image capture device 100, the communication device 200, and the server 300 to the same network through an access point, instead of using mobile communication.

[0033] Configuration of the Image Capturing Device 100

[0034] Will refer to Figure 2A A configuration example of the image capture device 100 according to the present embodiment is described. Although the following describes a case where a digital camera is used as an image capture device as an example, the image capture device is not limited thereto. The image capture device may be a portable media player, a well-known tablet device, a personal computer, or the like.

[0035] The control unit 101 includes one or more processors and controls each unit of the image capturing device 100 (the entire image capturing device) according to an input signal, a program (described later), etc. Note that a plurality of hardware may control the entire device by sharing processing, rather than the control unit 101 controlling the entire device.

[0036] The image capture unit 102 is composed of, for example, an optical system that controls an optical lens unit and an aperture, zoom, and focus, an image sensor for converting light (image) entering through the optical lens unit into an electrical image signal, and the like. Complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS), charge coupled device (CCD), and the like are generally used as image sensors. Under the control of the control unit 101, the image capture unit 102 converts the subject light formed into an image by the lens included in the image capture unit 102 into an electrical signal using an image sensor, performs noise reduction processing, and the like, and outputs digital data as moving image data. In the image capture device 100 according to the present embodiment, for example, the moving image data is recorded in the recording medium 110.

[0037] The nonvolatile memory 103 is a nonvolatile memory capable of electrically erasing and recording, and stores a program (described later) executed by the control unit 101 , meta template information, and the like.

[0038] The work memory 104 is used as a buffer memory for temporarily storing moving image data captured by the image capture unit 102, a moving image display memory for the display unit 106, a work area for the control unit 101, etc. The work memory 104 may be a volatile memory.

[0039] The operation unit 105 is used to accept instructions issued by the user in the image capture device 100. For example, the operation unit 105 includes a power button through which the user instructs turning on and off the power of the image capture device 100, a release switch for instructing to start / stop shooting, a playback button for instructing to play back moving image data, etc. The operation unit 105 also includes an operation component such as a dedicated "connect" button for starting communication with an external device via the communication unit 111 (described later). The operation unit 105 also includes a touch panel formed on the display unit 106 (described later).

[0040] The display unit 106 displays a viewfinder image at the time of shooting, shot moving image data, text for interactive operation, etc. Note that the display unit 106 does not necessarily need to be built in the image capture device 100. It is sufficient that the image capture device 100 can be connected to an internal or external display unit 106, and has at least a display control function for controlling display in the display unit 106.

[0041] The audio input unit 107 is a device for inputting audio information. Audio data obtained by converting the audio information by the audio input unit 107 is recorded in the recording medium 110 in an audio file format.

[0042] The recording medium 110 can record the moving image data output from the image capture unit 102 and the audio data output from the audio input unit 107. For example, the recording medium 110 according to the present embodiment includes two slots. When processing the moving image data from the image capture unit 102, the control unit 101 records a high-resolution moving image file (hereinafter referred to as a "main moving image file") specified by the user at the resolution of the image sensor into the first slot of the recording medium 110 (included in the image capture unit 102; not shown). On the other hand, the control unit 101 records a low-resolution or low-bit-rate moving image file (hereinafter referred to as a "proxy moving image file"), a block moving image file obtained by block recording, etc. into the second slot of the recording medium 110, which will be sent from the communication unit 111 to the communication device 200 via the network. The recording medium 110 also records a metadata file template. When the moving image data is recorded into the recording medium 110, the control unit 101 can generate a new metadata file in which information such as the recording time of the moving image file has been added to the metadata file template, and record the generated metadata file into the recording medium 110. At this time, it is desirable that the moving image file and the new metadata file use the same file name so that these files can be associated with each other. The recording medium 110 may be configured to be removable from the image capture device 100, or may be built into the image capture device 100. In other words, it is sufficient that the image capture device 100 can at least access the recording medium 110.

[0043] The communication unit 111 is an interface for connecting to an external device. The image capture device 100 of this embodiment can exchange data with an external device through the communication unit 111. For example, the motion image data generated by the control unit 101, the audio data generated by the audio input unit 107, etc. can be sent to the external device through the communication unit 111. In this embodiment, the communication unit 111 includes an interface for communicating with an external device through a well-known wireless LAN according to the IEEE 802.11 standard. The communication unit 111 also includes a universal serial bus (USB) interface for connecting to an external device using a USB cable. The control unit 101 realizes wireless and wired communication with an external device by controlling the communication unit 111.

[0044] Note that the communication unit 111 of the image capture device 100 according to the present embodiment is capable of operating in an access point mode (hereinafter referred to as "AP mode") so as to operate as an access point in the infrastructure mode. The communication unit 111 is also capable of operating in a client mode (hereinafter referred to as "CL mode") so as to operate as a client in the infrastructure mode. By operating the communication unit 111 in the CL mode, the image capture device 100 of the present embodiment can operate as a CL device in the infrastructure mode. When the image capture device 100 operates as a CL device, the image capture device 100 can join a network formed by the AP device by connecting to a nearby AP device. In addition, by operating the communication unit 111 in the AP mode, the image capture device 100 according to the present embodiment can operate as a simplified AP (hereinafter referred to as a "simple AP") which is an AP but has limited functions. When the image capture device 100 operates as a simple AP, the image capture device 100 forms a network by itself. Devices near the image capture device 100 can recognize the image capture device 100 as an AP device and join the network formed by the image capture device 110. A program for causing the image capturing apparatus 100 to operate as described above is stored in the nonvolatile memory 103. Note that the image capturing apparatus 100 may be a simple AP which, although being an AP, does not have a gateway function for transmitting data received from a CL device to an Internet provider or the like. In this case, even if the image capturing apparatus 100 receives data from other apparatuses that have joined the network formed by the image capturing apparatus 100, the data cannot be transmitted to a network such as the Internet.

[0045] Next, we will refer to Figure 2B The appearance of the image capturing apparatus 100 is described. The release switch 105a, the zoom lever 105b, the playback button 105c, and the touch panel 105d are operating members included in the above-described operating unit 105. A moving image captured by the image capturing unit 102 is also displayed in the display unit 106.

[0046] Configuration Example of Communication Device 200

[0047] Next, we will refer to Figure 3 The configuration example of the communication device 200 of the present embodiment is described. Although the case where a mobile terminal is used as the communication device 200 is described as an example, the communication device 200 is not limited thereto. The communication device 200 may be, for example, a digital camera, a tablet device, a personal computer, etc. having a wireless function.

[0048] The control unit 201 includes one or more processors and controls each unit of the communication device 200 (the entire communication device) according to an input signal, a program (described later), etc. Note that a plurality of hardware may control the entire device by sharing processing, rather than the control unit 201 controlling the entire device.

[0049] The image capture unit 202 converts the subject light formed into an image by the lens included in the image capture unit 202 into an electric signal, performs noise reduction processing, etc., and outputs digital data as moving image data. The captured moving image data is stored in a buffer memory, subjected to predetermined processing by the control unit 201, and then recorded in the recording medium 210.

[0050] The nonvolatile memory 203 is a nonvolatile memory that can be electrically erased and recorded. An operating system (OS) is basic software executed by the control unit 201, and an application program that realizes actual functions by cooperating with the OS is recorded in the nonvolatile memory 203. In the present embodiment, a transmission application program (hereinafter referred to as "transmission application") for the communication device 200 to transmit data with the image capture device 100 and the server 300 is also stored in the nonvolatile memory 203. A file management application program (hereinafter referred to as "file management application") and an image management application program (hereinafter referred to as "image management application") for managing moving image files and audio files sent from the image capture device 100 are also stored.

[0051] The work memory 204 is used as an image display memory of the display unit 206, a work area of ​​the control unit 201, etc. In the present embodiment, when a moving image file, a metadata file, etc. received from the image capturing device 100 are transmitted to the server 300, these files are temporarily stored. The work memory 204 may be a volatile memory.

[0052] The operation unit 205 is for accepting instructions from the user to the communication device 200. The operation unit 205 includes operation members such as a power button through which the user instructs turning on and off the power of the communication device 200, a touch panel formed on the display unit 206, and the like.

[0053] The display unit 206 displays moving image data, text display for interactive operation, etc. Note that the communication device 200 does not necessarily need to include the display unit 206. It is sufficient that the communication device 200 can be connected to the display unit 206 and has at least a display control function for controlling display in the display unit 206.

[0054] The recording medium 210 can record the image data output from the image capturing unit 202. The recording medium 210 may be configured to be removable from the communication device 200, or may be built into the communication device 200. In other words, it is sufficient that the communication device 200 can at least access the recording medium 210.

[0055] The communication unit 211 is an interface for communicating with an external device. The communication device 200 of the present embodiment can exchange data with the image capture device 100 and the server 300 through the communication unit 211. In the present embodiment, the communication unit 211 is, for example, an antenna, and the control unit 101 can be connected to the image capture device 100 via the antenna. Note that the connection with the image capture device 100 in the server 300 may be a direct connection or a connection via an access point. For example, the PTP / IP protocol on a wireless LAN may be used as a data communication protocol.

[0056] The communication unit 211 also includes a universal serial bus (USB) interface for connecting to an external device using a USB cable. However, please note that the communication with the external device is not limited to this. For example, the communication unit 211 may include an infrared communication module, a Bluetooth (registered trademark) communication module, a wireless communication module such as a wireless USB, etc.

[0057] The PSTN connection unit 213 is an interface used when performing public wireless line communication. The communication device 200 can make a voice call with other devices through the PSTN connection unit 213. At this time, the voice call is realized by the control unit 201 inputting and outputting audio signals through the microphone 214 and the speaker 215.

[0058] The communication device 200 of the present embodiment can also exchange data with the server 300 through the PSTN connection unit 213. The PSTN connection unit 213 is, for example, an antenna, and the control unit 201 can be connected to the public network through the antenna. Note that the communication unit 211 and the PSTN connection unit 213 can also share a single antenna. Communication performed through the communication unit 211 is generally faster than communication performed through the public network. Therefore, in the communication device 200 of the present embodiment, when no call is made, communication is performed preferentially through the communication unit 211.

[0059] Block record file

[0060] Next, we will refer to Figure 4A Two recording modes are described for use when the image capture device 100 of the present embodiment records a low-resolution or low-bit-rate moving image file in the MP4 file format in the recording medium 110. The image capture device 100 starts recording a moving image in response to the user pressing the release switch 105a, and stops recording in response to the release switch 105a being pressed again.

[0061] The first mode for recording a moving image file is "proxy recording". In the proxy recording, the image capture device 100 records a proxy moving image file recorded at the same recording time as the main moving image file. 401 represents a proxy moving image file in which the recording time of the moving image is from the start of recording to the end of recording. In other words, the proxy recording is a recording mode in which a single proxy moving image file is generated from the start of recording to the end of recording. At this time, at the moment of the end of recording, a metadata file 402 is generated while the proxy moving image file 401 is generated.

[0062] In the present embodiment, for example, when generating a file name for the proxy moving image file 401, the image capture device 100 sets the fourth letter after "MVI" to "P" and then adds the file number and the extension. Thus, the image capture device 100 sets the file name of the proxy moving image file to, for example, "MVIP0001.MP4". In addition, the image capture device 100 also sets the file name of the metadata file 402 except for the extension to the same name as the proxy moving image file 401, that is, "MVIP0001.XML".

[0063] The second mode of recording a motion image file is "block recording." In block recording, the image capture device 100 records a block motion image file by dividing the motion image into smaller blocks each time a predetermined amount of time elapses during recording. When a predetermined amount of time has elapsed from the start of recording or from the moment when the previous block motion image file was generated, the image capture device 100 generates a new block motion image file. For example, when 30 seconds have passed from the start of recording, the image capture device 100 generates a block motion image file 403a, and also generates a metadata file 404. In proxy recording, when a motion image file is generated, the recording time of the motion image file is added to the metadata file. However, in block recording, when a motion image is recorded, the recording time does not need to be added to the metadata file. When 30 seconds have passed from when the block motion image file 403a was generated, the image capture device 100 generates a block motion image file 403b. In Figure 4A In the example shown, the image capture device 100 records block motion image files at intervals of 30 seconds until 403b. When the user presses the release switch 105a and the recording stops, the image capture device 100 generates a block motion image file 403c corresponding to the time from the generation of the block motion image file 403b to the end of the recording. At this time, the image capture device 100 updates the metadata file 404 to add the recording time from the start of recording to the end of recording and the like to the metadata file 404. In this way, in the block recording according to the present embodiment, the block motion image file group from the start of recording to the end of recording has a single metadata file.

[0064] In the present embodiment, for example, the image capture device 100 may add a file name to the block motion image according to a predetermined naming rule. For example, the naming rule for the block motion image file name may be as follows. A text indicating that the first generated block motion image file 403a is a starting motion image file (generated at the start of recording) is added to the block motion image file. For example, the image capture device 100 sets the fourth letter after "MVI" to "B". In this case, the file name of the first generated block motion image file is "MVIB0001.MP4".

[0065] A text indicating that the block moving image file 403b generated next is an intermediate moving image file is added to the block moving image file. For example, the image capture device 100 sets the fourth letter after "MVI" to "D". In this case, the file name of the block moving image file generated next is "MVID0002.MP4".

[0066] A text indicating that the last generated block motion image file 403c is an end motion image file (generated when recording ends) is added to the block motion image file. For example, the image capture device 100 sets the fourth letter after "MVI" to "E". In this case, the file name of the last generated block motion image file is "MVIE0003.MP4". The file name of the metadata file 404 is the same as that of the block motion image file 403a, that is, "MVIB0001.XML", except for the extension.

[0067] Using a naming rule that adds specific predetermined text (identification information) to a file name in this manner (e.g., a naming rule that assigns the fourth letter) enables a communication device or the like that obtains a file to recognize whether the recording mode is block recording or proxy recording. It is also possible to recognize from the fourth letter whether the moving image file in question is a starting moving image file, an intermediate moving image file, or the last moving image file.

[0068] Next, we will refer to Figure 4B The advantages of block recording are described using as an example a case where a moving image file is transmitted from the image capture device 100 to the server 300 via the communication device 200. When performing proxy recording, the image capture device 100 cannot send the moving image file currently being recorded, and therefore starts sending the proxy moving image file after recording is completed. In this case, in addition to the time required to record the proxy moving image file 401, time is also required to send the proxy moving image file 401. Figure 4B 405 in the figure represents the time taken from the start of recording of the proxy moving picture file to the completion of the transfer of the proxy moving picture file 401.

[0069] When performing block recording, the image capture device 100 can continuously transmit the generated block motion image files even while recording the motion image. For example, once the block motion image file 403a is generated (i.e., once the recording of the corresponding file is completed), the block motion image file 403a can be transmitted even if the image capture device 100 is still recording. Figure 4B In the example of FIG. 4 , the image capture device 100 can start transmitting the moving image file by a time difference 406 earlier than the recording time of the proxy moving image file 401. When the moving image file generated by block recording is transmitted, the time from the start of recording to the completion of the transmission of the moving image file is represented by 407. Therefore, there is an advantage that the transmission time 407 of the block recording is earlier than the transmission speed 405 of the proxy recording by a time difference 408.

[0070] Example of transferring application screen

[0071] Next, we will refer to Figure 5AA , Figure 5AB and Figure 5B An example of an operation screen of a transmission application program (also referred to simply as “transmission app”) displayed in the display unit 206 of the communication device 200 of the present embodiment is described. Figure 5AA , Figure 5AB and Figure 5B The display state of the operation screen of the transmission application is schematically shown. The transmission application displays, for example, a function selection screen 501, a camera content list screen, and a capture / auto transfer screen 504 in response to a user operation.

[0072] exist Figure 5AA , 501 indicates a function selection screen, which is a screen displayed when the image capture device 100 is connected after the transmission application is started. The function selection screen 501 includes, for example, a camera content list display button 502 and a shooting / automatic transmission button 503. The camera content list display button 502 is a button for obtaining content (e.g., a moving image file) recorded in the image capture device 100 and switching to a camera content list screen (described later). The shooting / automatic transmission button 503 is a button for switching to a shooting / automatic transmission screen 504 for transmitting content received from the image capture device 100 to another device (e.g., the server 300). When the camera content list display button 502 is pressed, the communication device 200 switches to the transmission selection screen. In addition, when the shooting / automatic transmission button 503 is pressed (tapped), the communication device 200 switches to the shooting / automatic transmission screen 504.

[0073] exist Figure 5ABIn the shooting / automatic transmission screen 504 shown, the communication device 200 displays the file transmitted from the image capture device 100 to the server 300 via the communication device 200. In this screen state, the communication device 200 waits for the motion picture file generation notification from the image capture device 100. 505 denotes a button for returning to the previous screen. 506 denotes the initial screen of the shooting / automatic transmission screen 504 displayed when no transmission is in progress (when there is no content to be transmitted).

[0074] exist Figure 5B In the shooting / automatic transmission screen shown, the communication device 200 receives a motion picture file generation notification from the image capture device 100, and displays an indication that the motion picture file is being transmitted to an external device (e.g., the server 300). 507 is a status area indicating the block motion picture file being transmitted and the transmission status. The block motion picture files that have been transmitted and are being transmitted are displayed at the lower part of the status area 507.

[0075] 508 is a character string indicating the file name of the block moving image file. 509 is a component that displays a thumbnail of the file and displays the thumbnail recorded in the moving image file corresponding to the file name 508. 511 is a character string indicating the recording date / time of the file.

[0076] 510 is an icon indicating that recording is performed by block recording. This icon is displayed based on the recording format determined by the communication device 200. 512 is a "transmission completed" icon displayed when the process for receiving and transmitting the block motion image file is completed. 513 is a "transmission in progress" icon displayed when the process for receiving and transmitting the block motion image file is in progress.

[0077] Automatic transfer processing sequence

[0078] Will refer to Fig. 6A and Figure 6B A processing sequence (automatic transmission processing) for transmitting a block motion image file recorded by the image capturing device 100 to the server 300 via the communication device 200 is described. Note that Fig. 6A and Figure 6B The illustrated example will be described as a display from the communication device 200 when the image capture device 100 starts recording. Figure 5AAThe process starts from the state of the function selection screen 501 shown (i.e., the state in which the motion image file generation notification cannot be received). Note also that, unless otherwise specified, in the processing sequence described below, the processing described as being performed by the image capture device 100 is realized by the control unit 101 loading the program stored in the nonvolatile memory 103 into the working memory 104 and executing the program to control the various units of the image capture device 100. Similarly, the processing described as being performed by the communication device 200 is realized by the control unit 201 loading the program stored in the nonvolatile memory 203 into the working memory 204 and executing the program to control the various units of the communication device 200.

[0079] The transmission application of the communication device 200 displays Figure 5AA In the case of the function selection screen 501 shown, at T601, the image capture device 100 accepts the user's pressing of the release switch 105a and starts recording a block moving image file. Note that the image capture device 100 can branch the processing by the operation unit 105 depending on whether the recording format is set to proxy recording or block recording.

[0080] If block recording is set, then at T602, the image capture device 100 waits for recording for a predetermined amount of time. At T603, the image capture device 100 generates a block motion image file. Here, as described above, the image capture device 100 is being displayed. Figure 5AA Since the function selection screen 501 shown in FIG. 5 is displayed, the communication device 200 neither receives the moving image file generation notification nor requests the transmission of the block moving image file.

[0081] At T604, the communication device 200 switches to the shooting / automatic transmission screen in response to the user operation. This makes it possible to receive a motion image file generation notification from the image capture device 100 and request the transmission of a block motion image file. At T605, the image capture device 100 waits for recording for a predetermined amount of time. At T606, the image capture device 100 generates a block motion image file. At T607, the image capture device 100 sends a motion image file generation notification to the communication device 200 via the communication unit 111. By issuing the motion image file generation notification, the image capture device 100 issues a notification that a block motion image file has been generated. The motion image file generation notification includes identification information such as the file name of the generated block motion image file.

[0082] At T608, the communication device 200 receives the motion picture file generation notification issued at T607, and determines whether the received file is a start block motion picture file. The communication device 200 determines whether the received file is a start block motion picture file by, for example, referring to the file name included in the motion picture file generation notification and checking whether "MVIB" is included.

[0083] If it is determined that the received file is not a start block moving picture file, the communication device 200 proceeds to T609 to request retroactive transmission of the start block moving picture file. On the other hand, if it is determined that the received file is a start block moving picture file, the communication device 200 proceeds to T614.

[0084] At T609, the communication device 200 requests the image capture device 100 to send an image file list via the communication unit 211. For example, the file names of the block motion image files generated by the image capture device 100 are written in the image file list in the order in which these files are generated. The communication device 200 can refer to the file names written in the image file list in the reverse order of the file generation order (i.e., from the latest file backward to the oldest file). In other words, by referring to the image file list, the communication device 200 can specify the block motion image files generated within the period spanning the block motion image files indicated by the generation notification received in T607 back to the starting block motion image file. At T610, the communication device 200 receives the image file list from the image capture device 100 via the communication unit 211, and repeats the subsequent processing from T611 to T613 based on the image file list. By this, the communication device 200 obtains a series of block motion image files generated in a period spanning from the starting block motion image file corresponding to the generation notification received at T607 to the block motion image file indicated by the generation notification received at T607 from the image capture device 100. The communication device 200 then transmits the obtained block motion image files to the server 300. For each block motion image file, at T611, the communication device 200 requests the image capture device 100 to transmit the block motion image file via the communication unit 211. At T612, the communication device 200 receives the block motion image file from the image capture device 100 via the communication unit 211. At T613, the communication device 200 transmits the block motion image file received at T612 to the server 300 via the communication unit 211.

[0085] In this way, the communication device 200 can obtain block motion image files (i.e., block motion image files from the beginning of the motion image to the most recent block motion image file) that cannot be received from the image capturing device 100, and can transmit these files to the server 300. Therefore, the server 300 can obtain files required for assembling into a motion image without losing any files.

[0086] The process from T614 to T616 is a process performed when the communication device 200 determines that the block motion image file is the starting block motion image file based on the generation notification received in T607. In this case, the communication device 200 obtains only the starting block motion image file and transmits the file to the server 300. This process is equivalent to the process from T611 to T613, and therefore will not be described.

[0087] Next, at T617, the image capture device 100 continues recording until a predetermined amount of time has passed after the block motion image file is generated at T605. In the process from T618 to T622, the communication device 200 obtains the block motion image file generated by the image capture device 100 every predetermined amount of time, and transmits the file to the server 300. Note that the process of T618 and T619 (block motion image file generation and motion image file generation notification) is equivalent to the process described above with reference to T606 and T607. Likewise, the process from T620 to T622 (process from sending a request for a block motion image file to sending a block motion image file) is equivalent to the process described above with reference to T611 to T613. Note that the image capture device 100 loops (repeatedly executes) the process from T617 to T622 until the user presses the release switch 105a. After accepting the user's pressing of the release switch 105a, the image capture device 100 exits the loop process and performs a recording stop process at T623.

[0088] At T624, the image capturing apparatus 100 generates a final block moving image file. The subsequent processing from T625 to T628 (processing from moving image file generation notification to transmission of the block moving image file) is equivalent to the processing described above with reference to T619 to T622.

[0089] Automatic transmission processing operation in a communication device

[0090] Next, we will refer to Figure 7 The following describes the automatic transmission processing operation performed in the communication device 200 for transmitting the moving image file recorded by the image capture device 100 to the server 300. Note that, unless otherwise specifically stated, the automatic transmission processing according to the present embodiment is implemented by the control unit 201 loading the program stored in the nonvolatile memory 203 into the work memory 204 and executing the program to control the respective units of the communication device 200. In a state where the image capture device 100 has started recording a block moving image, when the transmission application of the communication device 200 is switched to Figure 5AB When the shooting / automatic transfer screen 504 is shown, start Figure 7 The operation shown.

[0091] In step S701, the control unit 201 determines whether a moving image file generation notification has been received from the image capturing apparatus 100 via the communication unit 211. If it is determined that the generation notification has been received, the control unit 201 moves the sequence to step S702, otherwise, the control unit 201 stands by to receive the generation notification.

[0092] In step S702, the control unit 201 determines whether the file indicated in the motion image file generation notification received in step S701 is a starting block motion image file. The control unit 201 makes this determination by referring to the file name information included in the generation notification and determining whether "MVIB" is included. If the block motion image file indicated by the generation notification is determined to be the starting block motion image file, the control unit 201 moves the sequence to step S705. In this case, the block motion image file generated by the image capture device 100 is the starting block motion image file, and thus the communication device 200 can obtain the block motion image file.

[0093] On the other hand, if it is determined that the block motion image file indicated by the generation notification is not the starting block motion image, the control unit 201 moves the sequence to step S703. In this case, there are several block motion image files after the starting file, which have been generated by the image capture device 100 but have not yet been obtained by the communication device 200. Therefore, the communication device 200 needs to specify these block motion image files and obtain them from the image capture device 100.

[0094] In step S703, the control unit 201 sends an image file list request to the image capture device 100 via the communication unit 211, and obtains the image file list. In step S704, the control unit 201 requests the starting block motion image file corresponding to the block motion image file indicated by the generation notification received in step S701, and the block motion image file generated before the block motion image file indicated by the generation notification. At this time, by referring to the image file list, the communication device 200 can specify the block motion image file generated within the period spanning from the block motion image file indicated by the generation notification received in step S702 back to the starting block motion image file. For example, the control unit 201 requests the image capture device 100 to send each block motion image file. When the block motion image files are obtained from the image capture device 100, the control unit 201 transmits these motion image files to the server 300, and then ends the sequence.

[0095] In step S705, the control unit 201 sends a request to the image capture device 100 via the communication unit 211 to send the block motion image file indicated by the motion image file generation notification received in step S701. When the block motion image file is obtained from the image capture device 100, the control unit 201 transmits the motion image file to the server 300, and then ends the sequence.

[0096] In this way, the display Figure 5AA , when the start block moving image file is generated in the image capture device 100, the communication device 200 cannot request the image capture device 100 to send the file. However, thereafter, when a subsequent moving image file generation notification is received, the communication device 200 switches to the shooting / automatic transmission screen, and obtains the unobtainable block moving image file from the beginning based on the image file list. In other words, the communication device 200 can obtain the block moving image files generated in the period spanning from the start block moving image file in the moving image to the block moving image file for which the notification is issued, and can send these files to the server 300.

[0097] As an example, the present embodiment describes the case where the file name is referenced to determine the starting block motion picture file. However, the determination of the starting block motion picture file is not limited to this. In other words, data indicating that the block motion picture file is the starting block motion picture file, written into a specific area of ​​metadata of the block motion picture file, can be used for the determination.

[0098] Second embodiment

[0099] In the first embodiment, when receiving a motion image file generation notification after the start of block motion image recording, the communication device 200 obtains block motion image files traced back to the starting block motion image file based on the image file list. The second embodiment will describe an example of processing performed when the communication device 200 becomes unable to receive subsequent motion image file generation notifications after sending one or more block motion image files to the server 300. Specifically, in a case where the communication device 200 has switched to the shooting / automatic transmission screen, that is, in a state where the image generation notification can be received, the image capture device 100 starts recording block motion images, and one or more block motion image files are transmitted to the server 300. Even if the communication device 200 subsequently switches to the function selection screen and can no longer receive the motion image file generation notification from midway, a series of block motion image files can still be sent to the server 300.

[0100] Although the second embodiment is different from the first embodiment in some automatic transmission processing operations in the communication device 200, the configurations of the image capture device 100 and the communication device 200 are the same as those in the first embodiment. Therefore, the same or substantially the same configurations will be given the same reference numerals, and redundant descriptions will be omitted.

[0101] Automatic transfer processing sequence

[0102] Will refer to Fig. 8A and Figure 8B The process for transmitting the block motion image file recorded by the image capture device 100 to the server 300 via the communication device 200 will be described. The sequence will be described as switching to when the communication device 200 starts recording in the image capture device 100. Figure 5AB Starts when the shooting / auto transfer screen is shown.

[0103] At T801 , upon accepting the pressing of the release switch 105 a by the user, the image capturing device 100 starts recording a block moving image file.

[0104] The processing from T802 to T806 is the same sequence as that performed when the communication device 200 can receive a moving image file generation notification. In other words, the processing of T605, T606, T607, T611, and T612 according to the first embodiment is performed in this order.

[0105] At T807, the communication device 200 updates the import completion list stored in the working memory 204. The import completion list is a list of file names of block motion image files to which the communication device 200 adds the block motion image files when the block motion image files are transmitted from the image capture device 100 to the communication device 200. Note that the import completion list may include information capable of uniquely identifying the block motion image files, and is not limited to the file names of the block motion image files. For example, the information uniquely specifying the block motion image files may be an image ID or the like added when the image capture device 100 generates an image. For example, if the import completion list does not exist when the block motion image files are received, the communication device 200 may generate a new import completion list. When disconnected from the image capture device 100, the communication device 200 may also delete the import completion list; but the configuration is not limited thereto. At T808, the communication device 200 transmits the obtained block motion image files to the server 300 in the same manner as T613 in the first embodiment.

[0106] At T809, upon accepting an operation from the user, the communication device 200 switches from the shooting / automatic transmission screen to the function selection screen. The image capture device 100 generates a block motion image file by performing the processing of T810 and T811 in the same manner as T605 and T606 according to the first embodiment. At T810 and T811, the display Figure 5AA As shown in the function selection screen 501, the communication device 200 has neither received the moving image file generation notification nor requested the transmission of the block moving image file.

[0107] Thereafter, at T812 , upon accepting an operation from the user, the communication device 200 switches from the function selection screen to the capture / automatic transmission screen.

[0108] The image capture device 100 performs the processing from T813 to T815 in the same manner as the processing performed from T802 to T804. In other words, the image capture device 100 generates a new block moving image file and transmits a generation notification of the generated moving image file to the communication device 200.

[0109] At T816, the communication device 200 refers to the import completion list and determines whether the block motion image file indicated by the generation notification received at T815 is the next block motion image file written in the import completion list. The communication device 200 determines whether the file is the next file by, for example, determining whether its number is the next in the sequence in the file naming rule. If the block motion image file indicated by the generation notification received at T815 is determined to be the next block motion image file written in the import completion list, the communication device 200 proceeds to T823, and if not, proceeds to T817.

[0110] T817 and T818 are the same as T609 and T610 in the first embodiment. In other words, the communication device 200 requests the transmission of the image file list, and the image capturing device 100 transmits the image file list to the communication device 200.

[0111] At T819 to T822, the communication device 200 uses the image file list received at T818 to obtain and transmit a series of block moving image files from the next block moving image file in the import completion list to the block moving image file notified at T815. Although the processing of T819 and T822 is repeated the same number of times as the number of block moving image files obtained, the processing performed at T819 to T822 is equivalent to the processing of T805 to T808 described above.

[0112] The processing from T823 to T826 is the processing performed when the communication device 200 has determined that the block moving image file indicated by the generation notification received at T815 is the next block moving image file written in the import completion list. Through the processing from T823 to T826, the communication device 200 obtains only the next block moving image file and transmits the file to the server 300. The processing performed at T823 to T826 is equivalent to the processing of T819 and T822 described above.

[0113] Automatic transmission processing operation in a communication device

[0114] Next, we will refer to Fig. 9 The automatic transmission processing operation performed by the communication device 200 is described. Note that, unless otherwise specifically stated, the automatic transmission processing according to the present embodiment is implemented by the control unit 201 loading a program stored in the nonvolatile memory 203 into the work memory 204 and executing the program to control the respective units of the communication device 200. In a state where the image capture device 100 has started recording a block motion image, when the transmission application of the communication device 200 is switched from Figure 5AA The state transitions to Figure 5AB When the state is in Fig. 9 The processing shown in .

[0115] In step S901, the control unit 201 determines whether a moving image file generation notification has been received from the image capturing apparatus 100 via the communication unit 211. If it is determined that a moving image file generation notification has been received, the control unit 201 moves the sequence to step S902, and if not, waits for a generation notification.

[0116] In step S902, the control unit 201 determines whether the block motion image file indicated by the motion image file generation notification received in step S901 is the next block motion image file written in the import completion list after the block motion image file. As described above, the control unit 201 determines whether the file is the next file by determining whether the number of the file is the next in the series in the file name naming rule. If it is determined that the block motion image file indicated by the received motion image file generation notification is the next block motion image file written in the import completion list, the control unit 201 moves the sequence to step S905, and if not, moves the sequence to step S903.

[0117] In step S903, the control unit 201 sends an image file list request to the image capture device 100 via the communication unit 211, and obtains the image file list. In step S904, the control unit 201 specifies the block motion image file by referring to the received image file list and the file name at the end of the import completion list saved in the work memory 204, and requests the image capture device 100 to send the block motion image file via the communication unit 211. Specifically, the control unit 201 specifies the block motion image files (from the next block motion image file after the end to the block motion image file indicated by the generation notification issued at S901) in the image file list, and requests the image capture device 100 to send these files.

[0118] In step S905 , the control unit 201 requests the block moving image file indicated by the generation notification received in step S901 from the image capturing device 100 via the communication unit 211 .

[0119] As described above, according to the present embodiment, by saving the import completion list and verifying the list with the image file list obtained from the image capture device 100, a series of block motion image files that have not yet been obtained can be obtained. By doing so, even if the communication device 200 switches to display the function selection screen during the shooting / automatic transmission of a series of block motion image files and the block motion images can no longer be obtained midway, the series of block motion image files can be sent later. In other words, when time series data such as motion image files are transmitted to an external device, a situation in which files required for combination are lost can be prevented.

[0120] Although the present embodiment describes the case where the import completion list is used as an example, the configuration is not limited thereto. For example, the communication device 200 may receive a motion image file generation notification from the image capture device 100 while the function selection screen is displayed (i.e., in a state where the block motion image file cannot be received), and may generate / update the unsent file list when the generation notification is received. Here, the unsent file list includes information of the block motion image file indicated by the motion image file generation notification, for example. By this, if a motion image file generation notification is received from the image capture device 100 when the communication device 200 is converted to the shooting / automatic transmission screen and is thus able to receive the block motion image file, the communication device 200 may determine whether the file is the next block motion image in the unsent file list. If the file is the next file in the unsent file list, a series of files of the block motion image may be obtained by requesting the transmission of the corresponding block motion image file in the unsent file list. Similarly, when the motion image file is transmitted to the server 300, the situation where the file required for combination is lost may be prevented.

[0121] Although preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not intended to be limited to these embodiments, and many variations and modifications may be made within its scope. For example, various types of related files generated in conjunction with a motion image file may be processed in the same manner as a motion image file.

[0122] Other embodiments

[0123] The embodiments of the present invention may also be implemented by providing software (program) for performing the functions of the above-described embodiments to a system or device via a network or various storage media, and a computer or a central processing unit (CPU) or a microprocessing unit (MPU) of the system or device reads and executes the program.

[0124] While the present invention has been described with reference to exemplary embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the disclosed exemplary embodiments. The scope of the following claims is to be accorded the broadest interpretation so as to encompass all such modifications and equivalent structures and functions.

Claims

1. A communication device, comprising: a communication unit configured to communicate with an external device; a control unit configured to, when the divided files sequentially generated by dividing the continuous time-series data have been generated in the first external device, perform control to obtain the divided files from the first external device through the communication unit; as well as a transmission unit configured to transmit the divided files to the second external device through the communication unit when the divided files are obtained, When the first divided file has been generated in the first external device and the first divided file is not the specific divided file, the control unit obtains divided files from the specific divided file to the first divided file generated from the time series data.

2. The communication device according to claim 1, in, The specific split file is the starting split file in the time series data, and When the first divided file has been generated and the first divided file is not the start divided file, the control unit obtains the divided files from the start divided file to the first divided file generated from the time series data.

3. The communication device according to claim 1, further comprising: a storage unit configured to store information indicating the split files obtained from the first external device, The specific split file is a second split file generated after the split file indicated by the information, and When the first divided file has been generated and the first divided file is not the second divided file, the control unit obtains divided files from the second divided file to the first divided file generated from the time series data.

4. The communication device according to claim 1, in, When the generated first divided file is a specific divided file, the control unit obtains only the first divided file.

5. The communication device according to claim 1, further comprising: a first obtaining unit configured to obtain a file list indicating the generated split files from a first external device, The control unit uses the file list to specify the divided files generated from the time series data and from the specific divided file to the first divided file.

6. The communication device according to claim 1, further comprising: a second obtaining unit configured to obtain, from the first external device, a generation notification indicating that the separate files have been generated in the first external device, The control unit determines whether the generated first separate file is a specific separate file based on the information about the separate files included in the generation notification.

7. The communication device according to claim 1, further comprising: a second obtaining unit configured to obtain, from the first external device, a generation notification indicating that the separate files have been generated in the first external device, wherein, when the split file indicated by the generation notification cannot be obtained from the first external device, the control unit adds information about the split file indicated by the generation notification to the unsent file list, and When the first separate file is generated, the control unit obtains separate files from the separate files indicated by the unsent file list to the first separate file.

8. The communication device according to claim 1, further comprising: a determining unit configured to determine whether the generated first split file is a specific split file, The determining unit uses identification information of the separate files indicated by the generation notification from the first external device, the generation notification indicating that the separate files have been generated in the first external device.

9. The communication device according to claim 8, in, The identification information of the separate files indicated by the generation notification includes at least one of information indicating that the separate file is a start separate file in the time series data and a number indicating an order.

10. A method for controlling a communication device, the communication device comprising a communication unit configured to communicate with an external device, the method comprising: When divided files sequentially generated by dividing the continuous time-series data have been generated in the first external device, performing control to obtain the divided files from the first external device through the communication unit; as well as When the split files are obtained, the split files are transmitted to the second external device through the communication unit, The control includes, when the first divided file has been generated in the first external device and the first divided file is not the specific divided file, obtaining divided files from the specific divided file to the first divided file generated from the time series data.

11. A computer-readable storage medium storing instructions for executing a method of controlling a communication device, the communication device comprising a communication unit configured to communicate with an external device, the method comprising: When divided files sequentially generated by dividing the continuous time-series data have been generated in the first external device, performing control to obtain the divided files from the first external device through the communication unit; as well as When the split files are obtained, the split files are transmitted to the second external device through the communication unit, The control includes, when the first divided file has been generated in the first external device and the first divided file is not the specific divided file, obtaining divided files from the specific divided file to the first divided file generated from the time series data.

12. A computer program product comprising a computer program / command, which when executed by a processor causes the processor to perform a method of controlling a communication device, the communication device comprising a communication unit configured to communicate with an external device, the method comprising: When divided files sequentially generated by dividing the continuous time-series data have been generated in the first external device, performing control to obtain the divided files from the first external device through the communication unit; as well as When the split files are obtained, the split files are transmitted to the second external device through the communication unit, The control includes, when the first divided file has been generated in the first external device and the first divided file is not the specific divided file, obtaining divided files from the specific divided file to the first divided file generated from the time series data.

Images