Communication device, control method for communication device, and program

Abstract

A communication apparatus according to an embodiment of the present application includes: a communication section configured to communicate with an external apparatus; a control section configured to, in a case where a file is generated in a first external apparatus, control to obtain the file from the first external apparatus via the communication section; and a transfer section configured to, in a case where the file is obtained, transfer the file to a second external apparatus via the communication section. Here, in a case where a first divided file is generated in the first external apparatus as a divided file sequentially generated by dividing continuous time-series data, the control section controls whether or not to obtain the first divided file from the first external apparatus, in accordance with an obtained state of a divided file up to the first divided file from the beginning of the time-series data.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to communication equipment, control methods and procedures for communication equipment. Background Technology

[0002] A known technology involves a camera device, such as a digital camera, equipped with wireless communication capabilities, and sending motion image files (Patent Document 1) to an external device in a manner that records motion images captured by the camera device in a segmented manner at predetermined times (hereinafter also referred to as "chunk recording"). By using the technology disclosed in Patent Document 1, the camera device can efficiently send motion images to an external device.

[0003] The motion picture files generated by chunked recording (hereinafter also referred to as "chunked motion picture files") can be processed as a single motion picture by combining these files on the destination external device. Therefore, the destination external device needs to collect a file group consisting of a series of files from the first chunked motion picture file to the last chunked motion picture file, and if a portion of the chunked motion picture files is missing, these files cannot be correctly combined on the external device. Existing technical documents Patent documents

[0004] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2022-96304 Summary of the Invention The problem the invention aims to solve

[0005] Incidentally, a known system involves a process where, during on-site filming in the mass media industry, motion pictures, audio, and other such files (time-series data) captured and recorded by a camera are sent to and stored on a communication device such as a smartphone, and then further transmitted from the communication device to a server via a network. In such a system, to ensure that the segmented motion picture files generated by the camera can be transmitted without any missing files and assembled on the server, the communication device needs to properly control the transmission of the segmented motion picture files. However, Patent Document 1 does not consider the transmission of segmented motion picture files via a communication device.

[0006] In view of the above-mentioned problems, the object of the present invention is to achieve a technique that, when transmitting time-series data such as motion picture files to an external device, prevents the loss of files required for assembly. Solution for solving the problem

[0007] To solve this problem, the communication device according to the present invention has, for example, the following configuration. That is, the communication device is characterized by comprising: a communication component for communicating with an external device; a control component for controlling the acquisition of a file from the first external device via the communication component when a file is generated in the first external device; and a transmission component for transmitting the file to a second external device via the communication component when the file is acquired, wherein, when a first segmented file, which is a sequentially generated segmented file by segmenting continuous time-series data, is generated in the first external device, the control component controls whether to acquire the first segmented file from the first external device based on the acquisition status of segmented files from the beginning of the time-series data up to the segmented files preceding the first segmented file. Advantages of the invention

[0008] According to the present invention, when time-series data such as motion picture files are transmitted to an external device, the situation where the required files for assembly are missing can be prevented. Other features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Note that throughout the drawings, the same reference numerals denote the same or similar components. Attached Figure Description

[0009] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention and, together with the specification, serve to explain the principles of the invention. Figure 1 This is a conceptual diagram illustrating an example configuration of a system according to the first embodiment. Figure 2A This is a block diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of a camera device according to the first embodiment. Figure 2B This is an example diagram illustrating the appearance of a camera device according to the first embodiment. Figure 3 This is a block diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of a communication device according to the first embodiment. Figure 4A Figure (1) illustrates the block record according to the first embodiment. Figure 4B Figure (2) illustrates the block record according to the first embodiment. Figure 5AA Example (1) of transmitting a screen in an App controlled by a communication device according to the first embodiment. Figure 5AB Example (2) of transmitting a screen in an App controlled by a communication device according to the first embodiment. Figure 5BCExample (3) of transmitting screens in an App controlled by a communication device according to the first embodiment. Figure 5BD Example (4) of transmitting a screen in an App controlled by a communication device according to the first embodiment. Figure 6A This is a sequence diagram (1) illustrating an example of the operations in the file transfer process during the proxy record and the block record according to the first embodiment. Figure 6B This is a sequence diagram (2) illustrating an example of the operation in the file transfer process during the proxy record and the block record according to the first embodiment. Figure 7A This is a flowchart (1) illustrating a series of operations in the shooting / automatic transmission of the communication device according to the first embodiment. Figure 7B This is a flowchart (2) illustrating a series of operations in the shooting / automatic transmission of the communication device according to the first embodiment. Figure 8A This is a sequence diagram (1) illustrating an example of the operation when block recording begins after the start of the shooting / automatic transmission process according to the first embodiment. Figure 8B This is a sequence diagram (2) illustrating an example of the operation when block recording begins after the start of the shooting / automatic transmission process according to the first embodiment. Figure 9A This is a sequence diagram (1) illustrating an example of the operation when shooting / automatic transmission begins after block recording has started, according to the first embodiment. Figure 9B This is a sequence diagram (2) illustrating an example of the operation when shooting / automatic transmission begins after block recording has started, according to the first embodiment. Figure 10 This is a flowchart illustrating a series of operations in the automatic transmission process of a communication device according to the second embodiment. Figure 11 This is a sequence diagram illustrating an example of operation during automatic transfer processing according to the second embodiment. Figure 12 This is an example of a screen displaying a warning message when the shooting / automatic transmission function is performed during block recording, according to the second embodiment. Detailed Implementation

[0010] In the following, 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. Multiple features are described in the embodiments, but this does not limit the invention to requiring all such features, and multiple such features can be appropriately combined. Furthermore, in the drawings, the same reference numerals are given the same or similar configuration, and redundant descriptions are omitted.

[0011] First Embodiment Overview of the transfer of segmented moving image files First, an overview of the transmission of segmented moving image files according to this embodiment will be given. In the field of filming in mass media industries such as news companies and telecommunications companies, there is a need to quickly deliver content filmed at the interview site to news companies, etc., and currently, file transfer solutions using network communication are being provided. Specifically, images / moving images / audio files captured and recorded by a camera device are sent to a communication device such as a smartphone and stored within that device. A mobile application is provided that then sends these files from the communication device to an external FTP server via the network. Such a mobile application includes functions for automatically performing the following series of processes (hereinafter also referred to as the "capture / automatic transfer function"). In the capture / automatic transfer function, the mobile application receives a notification of completion of recording of the moving image file from the camera device using, for example, a Picture Transfer Protocol based on the Internet Protocol (PTP / IP). The moving image file is then obtained and transferred to an external FTP server. By activating the capture / automatic transfer function, the user can automatically transfer these files to an external destination without having to perform an operation to select the captured files.

[0012] However, chunked motion picture files generated through chunked recording are typically assembled at the destination and processed as single motion pictures. Therefore, upon delivery, a set of files consisting of a series of files from the first chunked motion picture file to the last chunked motion picture file needs to be collected. If chunked motion picture files are delivered with some files missing, they cannot be correctly assembled at the destination. When the capture / automatic transfer function is active, a notification of completion of motion picture file recording can be received from the camera device. Subsequently, when the communication device receives the notification of completion of motion picture file recording from the camera device, it obtains the motion picture file from the camera device and transfers it to an external FTP server. If the processing sequence of the capture / automatic transfer function is also applied to chunked recording, it is possible, for example, that chunked recording has already begun on the camera device side when the function is active. In this case, the communication device cannot receive notification of completion of recording for chunked motion picture files recorded before the function is active from the camera device. If, for example, the motion picture file for which a notification of completion has already been received is obtained as is and transferred to an external device, these files will ultimately be delivered with the earlier chunked motion picture files required for assembly at the destination missing.

[0013] To prevent the loss of such segmented moving image files, in this embodiment, if no segmented moving image file has been transmitted from the beginning of the moving image up to the segmented file preceding the segmented moving image file to be processed, then subsequent segmented moving image files will not be transmitted. This will be described in detail below.

[0014] Although an example of transmitting moving image files will be described below, this embodiment is not limited to moving images, and can also be applied when applying chunked recording to time-series data that includes moving images, audio, and other such data. In this case, the chunked moving image file corresponds to a segmented file generated sequentially by dividing continuous time-series data.

[0015] System configuration example Reference Figure 1 An example of the configuration of the system according to the first embodiment is described. Figure 1 In this context, 100 indicates a camera device such as a digital camera. As will be described later, the camera device can be any of various devices, as long as it is configured to acquire time-series data such as moving images. 200 indicates a communication device, such as a mobile terminal with communication capabilities, exemplified by a smartphone. 300 indicates a server used as an example of an image storage device, which can be installed at a connection destination connected via a communication network such as the Internet.

[0016] exist Figure 1In this system, camera device 100 and communication device 200 are connected via hardwired cables or Wi-Fi, and are capable of communicating via wired or wireless means. Camera device 100 can, for example, transmit motion image files generated by camera device 100 to communication device 200. Communication device 200 and server 300 can communicate using wireless LAN or mobile communication, for example. Communication device 200 can, for example, use communication protocols such as FTP to transmit information stored in communication device 200 to server 300. However, note that the system configuration is not limited to the foregoing example, and the processing for transferring files between devices can be implemented by connecting camera device 100, communication device 200, and server 300 to the same network via an access point, rather than using mobile communication.

[0017] Camera equipment configuration 100 Reference Figure 2A An example of the configuration of the camera device 100 according to this embodiment is described below. Although the use of a digital camera as a camera device is described below as an example, the camera device is not limited thereto. The camera device may be a portable media player, which is referred to as a tablet device or personal computer, etc.

[0018] The control unit 101 includes one or more processors and controls the various units (the entire camera device) of the camera device 100 based on input signals and programs (described later). Note that multiple hardware components can control the entire device by sharing the processing, rather than the control unit 101 controlling the entire device.

[0019] The imaging unit 102 is configured, for example, to include: an optical system for controlling an optical lens unit, aperture, zoom, and focus; and an image sensor for converting light (image) entering through the optical lens unit into an electrical image signal. Complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) or charge-coupled device (CCD) sensors are commonly used as image sensors. Under the control of the control unit 101, the imaging unit 102 uses the image sensor to convert the light of the subject imaged by the lens included in the imaging unit 102 into an electrical signal, performs noise reduction processing, and outputs digital data as motion image data. In the imaging device 100 according to this embodiment, the motion image data is recorded, for example, on a recording medium 110.

[0020] The non-volatile memory 103 is a non-volatile memory that can be electrically erased and recorded, and stores programs (described later) executed by the control unit 101.

[0021] The working memory 104 serves as a buffer memory for temporarily storing motion image data captured by the camera unit 102, a motion image display memory used by the display unit 106, and a working area used by the control unit 101. The working memory 104 may be a volatile memory.

[0022] The operation unit 105 is used to receive instructions from the user made by the user in the camera device 100. For example, the operation unit 105 includes: a power button, which the user uses to indicate turning the camera device 100 on and off; a release switch, used to indicate the start / stop of recording; and a playback button, used to indicate the playback of motion image data. The operation unit 105 also includes operating components such as a dedicated "connect" button for initiating 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).

[0023] Display unit 106 displays the viewfinder image during shooting, captured motion image data, and text for interactive operation. Note that display unit 106 does not necessarily need to be built into camera device 100. It is sufficient for camera device 100 to be able to connect to internal or external display unit 106 and to have at least display control functions for controlling the display in display unit 106.

[0024] The audio input unit 107 is a device for inputting audio information, and the audio data obtained by converting the audio information through the audio input unit 107 is recorded in the recording medium 110 in an audio file format.

[0025] Recording medium 110 can record motion image data output from camera unit 102 and audio data output from audio input unit 107. According to this embodiment, recording medium 110 includes, for example, two slots. When processing motion image data from camera unit 202, control unit 101 records a high-resolution motion image file (hereinafter referred to as the "main motion image file") of the resolution of an image sensor (not shown in camera unit 202) specified by the user into the first slot of recording medium 110. On the other hand, control unit 101 records low-resolution or low-bitrate motion image files (hereinafter referred to as "proxy motion image files") to be sent via network from communication unit 111 to communication device 200, as well as segmented motion image files obtained through segmented recording, into the second slot of recording medium 110. Recording medium 110 can be configured to be removable from camera device 100, or it can be built into camera device 100. In other words, it is sufficient for camera device 100 to at least have access to recording medium 110.

[0026] The communication unit 111 is an interface for connecting to external devices. In this embodiment, the camera device 100 can exchange data with external devices via the communication unit 111. For example, motion image data generated by the control unit 101 and audio data generated by the audio input unit 107 can be sent to the external device via the communication unit 111. In this embodiment, the communication unit 111 includes an interface for communicating with external devices via a so-called wireless LAN according to the IEEE 802.11 standard. The communication unit 111 also includes a Universal Serial Bus (USB) interface for connecting to external devices using a USB cable. The control unit 101 implements wireless and wired communication with external devices by controlling the communication unit 111.

[0027] Note that the communication unit 111 of the camera device 100 according to this embodiment can operate in access point mode (hereinafter referred to as "AP mode") to operate as an access point in infrastructure mode. Furthermore, the communication unit 111 can operate in client mode (hereinafter referred to as "CL mode") to operate as a client in infrastructure mode. By operating the communication unit 111 in CL mode, the camera device 100 of this embodiment can operate as a CL device in infrastructure mode. When the camera device 100 operates as a CL device, it can join a network formed by nearby AP devices by connecting to an AP device. Additionally, by operating the communication unit 111 in AP mode, the camera device 100 according to this embodiment can operate as a simplified AP (hereinafter referred to as "simple AP"), which is an AP but has limited functionality. When the camera device 100 operates as a simple AP, it forms its own network. Devices near the camera device 100 can identify the camera device 100 as an AP device and join the network formed by the camera device 100. The program used to enable the camera device 100 to function as described above is stored in non-volatile memory 103. Note that the camera device 100 may be a simple access point (AP), which, although an AP, does not have gateway functionality for transmitting data received from the CL device to an internet provider or similar entity. In this case, even if the camera device 100 receives data from other devices already joined in the network formed by the camera device 100, that data cannot be transmitted to a network such as the internet.

[0028] Next, we will refer to Figure 2B The appearance of the camera device 100 is described. The release switch 105a, zoom lever 105b, playback button 105c, and touch panel 105d are operating components included in the aforementioned operating unit 105. The moving image obtained as a result of shooting using the camera unit 102 is also displayed on the display unit 106.

[0029] Example of the configuration of communication device 200 Next, we will refer to Figure 3 This describes an example of the configuration of the communication device 200 in this embodiment. Although the case of using a mobile terminal as the communication device 200 is described as an example, the communication device 200 is not limited thereto. For example, the communication device 200 may be a digital camera, tablet device, or personal computer with wireless functionality, etc.

[0030] Control unit 201 includes one or more processors and controls the various units (the entire communication device) of communication device 200 based on input signals and programs (described later). Note that multiple hardware components can control the entire device by sharing the processing, rather than control unit 201 controlling the entire device.

[0031] The camera unit 202 converts the light of the subject imaged by the lens included in the camera unit 202 into electrical signals, performs noise reduction processing, and outputs digital data as motion image data. The captured motion image data is stored in a buffer memory, processed in a predetermined manner by the control unit 201, and then recorded on the recording medium 210.

[0032] The non-volatile memory 203 is a non-volatile memory that can be electrically erased and recorded. The operating system (OS), which is the basic software executed by the control unit 201, and applications that perform actual functions by cooperating with the OS are recorded in the non-volatile memory 203. In this embodiment, a data transfer application (hereinafter referred to as the "transfer App") for transmitting data between the communication device 200 and the camera device 100 and the server 300 is also stored in the non-volatile memory 203. A file management application (hereinafter referred to as the "file management App") and an image management application (hereinafter referred to as the "image management App") for managing motion picture files and audio files sent from the camera device 100 are also stored.

[0033] The working memory 204 serves as the image display memory for the display unit 206 and the working area for the control unit 201, etc. In this embodiment, when motion image files received from the camera device 100 are transmitted to the server 300, these files are temporarily stored. The working memory 204 may be volatile memory.

[0034] The operation unit 205 is used to receive instructions from the user to the communication device 200. The operation unit 205 includes, for example, operation components such as a power button through which the user instructs the user to turn the power on and off to the communication device 200, and a touch panel formed on the display unit 206.

[0035] Display unit 206 displays motion image data and text for interactive operation. Note that communication device 200 does not necessarily need to include display unit 206. It is sufficient for communication device 200 to be able to connect to display unit 206 and to have at least display control functions for controlling the display in display unit 206.

[0036] Recording medium 210 can record image data output from camera unit 202. Recording medium 210 can be configured to be removable from communication device 200, or it can be built into communication device 200. In other words, it is sufficient for communication device 200 to at least have access to recording medium 210.

[0037] The communication unit 211 is an interface for communicating with external devices. In this embodiment, the communication device 200 can exchange data with the camera device 100 and the server 300 via the communication unit 211. In this embodiment, the communication unit 211 is, for example, an antenna, and the control unit 101 can be connected to the camera device 100 via the antenna. Note that the connection to the camera device 100 and the server 300 can be a direct connection or a connection via an access point. The PTP / IP protocol over a wireless LAN can be used, for example, as a protocol for communicating data.

[0038] Communication unit 211 also includes a Universal Serial Bus (USB) interface for connecting to external devices using a USB cable. However, it should be noted that communication with external devices is not limited to this. For example, communication unit 211 may include an infrared communication module, a Bluetooth (registered trademark) communication module, or a wireless communication module such as Wireless USB.

[0039] The public network connection unit 213 is an interface used for public wireless communication. The communication device 200 can make voice calls to other devices through the public network connection unit 213. At this time, the voice call is realized by the control unit 201 inputting and outputting audio signals via the microphone 214 and the speaker 215.

[0040] The communication device 200 of this embodiment can also exchange data with the server 300 via the public network connection unit 213. The public network connection unit 213 is, for example, an antenna, and the control unit 101 can be connected to the public network via the antenna. Note that the communication unit 211 and the public network connection unit 213 can also share a single antenna. Communication via the communication unit 211 is generally faster than communication via the public network. Therefore, in the communication device 200 of this embodiment, when there is no ongoing call, communication via the communication unit 211 is given priority.

[0041] Block record file Next, we will refer to Figure 4A and Figure 4B This describes two recording modes used by the camera device 100 of this embodiment when recording low-resolution or low-bitrate motion image files in MP4 file format on the recording medium 110. The camera device 100 starts recording motion images in response to a user pressing the release switch 105a, and stops recording in response to the release switch 105a being pressed again.

[0042] The first mode used for recording motion picture files is "surrogate recording". In surrogate recording, the camera device 100 records a surrogate motion picture file that is recorded at the same recording time as the main motion picture file. 401 instructs the surrogate motion picture file, in which the recording time of the motion picture is from the start of recording until the end of recording. In other words, surrogate recording is a recording mode that generates a single surrogate motion picture file from the start of recording until the end of recording.

[0043] In this embodiment, when generating the filename of the proxy motion image file 401, for example, the camera device 100 sets the fourth letter after "MVI" to "P", and then adds a file number and extension. Therefore, the camera device 100 sets the filename of the proxy motion image file to, for example, "MVIP0001.MP4".

[0044] The second mode for recording motion picture files is "chunk recording." In chunk recording, the camera device 100 records a proxy motion picture file by dividing the motion picture into smaller chunks each time a predetermined length of time elapses during recording. When a predetermined length of time has elapsed since the start of recording or since the timing of generating a previous chunk of motion picture file, the camera device 100 generates a new chunk of motion picture file. For example, when 30 seconds have elapsed since the start of recording, the camera device 100 generates chunk of motion picture file 402a. When 30 seconds have elapsed since the generation of chunk of motion picture file 402a, the camera device 100 generates chunk of motion picture file 402b. Figure 4A and Figure 4B In the illustrated example, camera device 100 records segmented motion picture files at 30-second intervals until 402b. When the user presses release switch 105a and recording stops, camera device 100 generates segmented motion picture file 402c corresponding to the time from the generation of segmented motion picture file 402b until the end of recording.

[0045] In this embodiment, for example, the camera device 100 can add filenames to the segmented motion picture according to a predetermined naming rule. The naming rule for the segmented motion picture filenames can be as follows: Text indicating that the segmented motion picture file is a starting motion picture file (generated at the start of recording) is added to the first generated segmented motion picture file 402a. For example, the camera device 100 sets the fourth letter after "MVI" to "B". In this case, the filename of the first generated segmented motion picture is "MVIB0001.MP4".

[0046] Text indicating that the next generated segmented motion picture file 402b is an intermediate motion picture file is added to it. For example, the camera device 100 sets the fourth letter after "MVI" to "D". In this case, the filename of the next generated segmented motion picture file is "MVID0002.MP4".

[0047] Text indicating that this segmented motion picture file is the final motion picture file (generated at the end of recording) is added to the last generated segmented motion picture file 402c. For example, the camera device 100 sets the fourth letter after "MVI" to "E". In this case, the filename of the last generated segmented motion picture file is "MVIE0003.MP4".

[0048] By using naming rules that add specific predefined text to filenames (e.g., a naming rule that assigns a fourth letter), communication devices that have acquired the file can determine whether the recording mode is a block record or a surrogate record (described later). The fourth letter can also be used to identify whether the moving image file in question is a beginning moving image file, a middle moving image file, or a last moving image file.

[0049] Next, we will refer to Figure 4B The advantages of chunked recording are described using the example of transmitting motion picture files from camera device 100 to server 300 via communication device 200. When proxy recording is performed, camera device 100 cannot send the currently recorded motion picture file, and therefore begins sending the proxy motion picture file after recording is complete. In this case, in addition to the time required to record the proxy motion picture file 401, sending the proxy motion picture file 401 also takes time. Figure 4B 405 indicates the time elapsed from the start of proxy motion picture recording until the transfer of proxy motion picture file 401 is complete.

[0050] When performing segmented recording, the camera device 100 can continuously send the generated segmented motion image files even while recording motion images. For example, once segmented motion image file 402a has been generated (i.e., once recording to the corresponding file is complete), segmented motion image file 402a can be transmitted even while the camera device 100 is still recording. Figure 4B In the example, camera device 100 can begin transmitting the motion picture file 401 earlier than the recording time of the proxy motion picture file 401 by a difference time 406. When transmitting the motion picture file generated by chunked recording, the time from the start of recording until the transmission of the motion picture file is completed is represented by 407. Therefore, this provides the advantage that the transmission time 407 used for chunked recording is earlier than the transmission time 405 used for proxy recording by a difference time 408.

[0051] Example of sending application screen Next, we will refer to Figure 5AA , Figure 5AB , Figure 5BC and Figure 5BD An example is described of the operation screen of the transmission application (also referred to as "transmission App") displayed in the display unit 206 of the communication device 200 in this embodiment. Figure 5AA , Figure 5AB , Figure 5BC and Figure 5BD This schematically illustrates the display state of the operation screen of the transfer app. The transfer app causes the display of, for example, a function selection screen 501, a camera content list screen, and a capture / automatic transfer screen 504 in response to user operations.

[0052] Figure 5AAThe illustrated function selection screen 501 is displayed after the transmission app is launched and the camera device 100 is connected. Function selection screen 501 includes, for example, a camera content list display button 502 and a capture / auto-transfer button 503. The camera content list display button 502 is used to obtain the content recorded by the camera device 100 (e.g., motion picture files) and switch to the camera content list screen (described later). The capture / auto-transfer button 503 is used to switch to the capture / auto-transfer screen 504, which transmits the content received from the camera device 100 to other devices (e.g., server 300). When the camera content list display button 502 is pressed, the communication device 200 switches to the camera content list screen (not shown). The camera content list screen is a screen that displays a list of files recorded by the camera device 100. The communication device 200 may, for example, use known methods to display the obtained content in a list. Additionally, when the capture / automatic transfer button 503 is pressed, the communication device 200 switches to the capture / automatic transfer screen 504.

[0053] exist Figure 5AB In the illustrated capture / automatic transfer screen 504, the communication device 200 displays a file being transferred from the camera device 100 to the server 300 via the communication device 200. In this embodiment, when transitioning to the capture / automatic transfer screen 504, the communication device 200 becomes capable of receiving a moving image file generation notification from the camera device 100. 505 indicates a button for returning to the previous screen. 506 indicates the initial screen of the capture / automatic transfer screen 504 displayed when no transfer is in progress (when there is no content to be transferred).

[0054] exist Figure 5BC In the illustrated capture / automatic transfer screen 504, the communication device 200 displays an indication that a proxy motion image file recorded by the camera device 100 is being transferred to an external device (e.g., server 300). Specifically, the communication device 200 displays information about the currently being transferred motion image file in the display area of ​​the current transfer content status 507. This information includes, for example, a thumbnail image and a filename. Information related to the motion image file is included, for example, in the data from the motion image file generation notification from the camera device 100, and the communication device 200 can display this information by referring to the motion image file generation notification data.

[0055] The communication device 200 also displays a text string and a progress bar to indicate the progress of content transmission. The progress is updated based on whether processing to acquire motion image files from the camera device 100 is in progress or processing to send motion image files to the server 300 is in progress. The length of the progress bar is updated based on the size of the motion image files already acquired from the camera device 100 and the size of the data already sent to the server 300.

[0056] The communication device 200 displays a list of information about moving image files to be transmitted after switching to the capture / automatic transmission screen 504 in the display area of ​​the transmission content list 508. The display of information for each moving image file includes a thumbnail image, filename, and a status icon indicating the transmission progress. The status icon indicates whether the transmission process is in progress or complete. For example, in the transmission content list 508, the communication device 200 displays the information "MVIP0001.MP4" along with an icon indicating transmission completion, and the information "MVIP0002.MP4" along with an icon indicating transmission is in progress.

[0057] exist Figure 5BD In the illustrated capture / automatic transfer screen 504, the communication device 200 displays an indication of the status of the segmented motion image file recorded by the camera device 100 while it is being transferred to an external device. Note that the content displayed in the current transfer content status 507 and the transfer content list 508 is different from... Figure 5BC Same as in the text. For example... Figure 5BD As illustrated, the block motion image files generated by the block recording are transmitted sequentially.

[0058] Automatic transmission processing sequence Next, we will refer to Figure 6A and Figure 6B This describes a processing sequence (automatic transmission processing) performed by the transmission app of communication device 200 for automatically transmitting motion image files recorded by camera device 100 to server 300. Note that... Figure 6A and Figure 6BThe automatic transmission processing sequence illustrated herein is performed after the communication device 200 displays the capture / automatic transmission screen 504 and the communication device 200 becomes capable of receiving a motion image file generation notification from the camera device 100. It should also be noted that, unless otherwise stated, in the processing sequences described below, the processing described as being performed by the camera device 100 is implemented by the control unit 101 loading a program stored in the non-volatile memory 103 into the working memory 104 and executing the program to control the various units of the camera device 100. Similarly, the processing described as being performed by the communication device 100 is implemented by the control unit 201 loading a program stored in the non-volatile memory 203 into the working memory 204 and executing the program to control the various units of the communication device 200.

[0059] In automatic transfer processing, motion picture recording is often a proxy recording. First, the case where motion picture recording is a proxy recording during automatic transmission processing will be described. At T601, when the proxy recording setting is active, and an operation to start recording is received from the user, the camera device 100 begins proxy recording. When an operation to stop recording is received from the user at T602, the camera device 100 generates a proxy motion picture file at T603. At T604, the camera device 100 sends a motion picture file generation notification related to the proxy motion picture to the communication device 200. The motion picture file generation notification is a message informing the communication device 200 that a motion picture file has been generated. At T605, upon receiving the motion picture file generation notification, the communication device 200 sends a motion picture file acquisition request to the camera device 100. Then, in response to the motion picture file acquisition request sent from the camera device 100, the communication device 200 acquires the motion picture file.

[0060] At T606, communication device 200 sends the motion image file obtained from camera device 100 to server 300. Through this series of processes, the proxy motion image file recorded by camera device 100 is transmitted to server 300 via communication device 200.

[0061] In automatic transfer processing, motion picture recording is performed in blocks. The following describes the case where motion picture recording is segmented during automatic transfer processing. At T607, when the segmented recording setting is active, the camera device 100 begins segmented recording upon receiving an operation from the user to start recording.

[0062] At T608, in order to generate a motion picture file divided into time segments of a predetermined length specified by the user, the camera device 100 starts a periodic timer for segmented recording, which expires periodically after the specified predetermined length of time has elapsed. At T609, the camera device 100 detects that the periodic timer for segmented recording has expired.

[0063] At T610, the camera device 100 generates a segmented motion picture file (including motion pictures of a length corresponding to a predetermined time). At T611, the camera device 100 sends a motion picture file generation notification related to the segmented motion picture file to the communication device 200. The motion picture file generation notification is a message indicating that a single segmented motion picture file has been generated. Figure 6B At time point T610, the generated motion picture file is the initial segmented motion picture file. Therefore, camera device 100 sets the filename of the segmented motion picture file to "MVIB0001.MP4". At T612, communication device 200 receives a motion picture file generation notification. Upon receiving the motion picture file generation notification, communication device 200 sends a motion picture file acquisition request to camera device 100. Communication device 200 obtains the segmented motion picture file in the response from camera device 100 to the motion picture file acquisition request. At T613, communication device 200 sends the segmented motion picture file obtained from camera device 100 to server 300.

[0064] At time T614, upon detecting the expiration of the segmented recording period timer again, camera device 100 generates a segmented motion picture file (including motion pictures of a length corresponding to a predetermined time) at time T615. Then, at time T616, camera device 100 sends a notification of the generation of the segmented motion picture file to communication device 200. At time T615, the generated motion picture file is an intermediate segmented motion picture file (not the initial segmented motion picture file). Therefore, camera device 100 sets the filename of the segmented motion picture file to "MVID0002.MP4". At time T617, upon receiving the motion picture file generation notification, communication device 200 sends a motion picture file acquisition request to camera device 100. Communication device 200 obtains the segmented motion picture file in the response to the motion picture file acquisition request from camera device 100. At time T618, communication device 200 sends the segmented motion picture file obtained from camera device 100 to server 300.

[0065] When the recording stop operation is received from the user at T619, the camera device 100 stops the periodic timer used for block recording at T620. At T621, the camera device 100 generates a proxy motion picture file. At T622, the camera device 100 sends a motion picture file generation notification of the generated proxy motion picture file to the communication device 200.

[0066] exist Figure 6B At time point T621, the generated segmented motion image file is the last segmented motion image file, therefore the camera device 100 sets the filename of the segmented motion image file to "MVIE0003.MP4". At T623, the communication device 200 receives a motion image file generation notification. Then, the communication device 100 sends a motion image file acquisition request to the camera device 100 and obtains the segmented motion image file in the response from the camera device 100 to the motion image file acquisition request. At T624, the communication device 200 sends the motion image file obtained from the camera device 100 to the server 300. Through this series of processes, a series of segmented motion image files generated by the camera device 100 can be transmitted to the server 300 via the communication device 200.

[0067] Automatic transmission processing operation in communication equipment 200 Next, the automatic transfer processing operation performed in the communication device 200 for transferring motion image files recorded by the camera device 100 to the server 300 will be described. The operations in the automatic transfer processing described below include the processing performed when a user attempts to start automatic transfer in the communication device 200 after block recording has already begun in the camera device 100.

[0068] Specifically, this can occur when (e.g., through some operation or processing in camera device 100) block recording has begun in camera device 100, and as a result, an initial block motion picture file has been generated. At this time, if, for example, communication device 200 can begin automatic transmission processing, communication device 200 does not receive a notification of initial block motion picture file generation, but instead sequentially receives notifications of intermediate block motion picture file generation from camera device 100. If, based on the received generation notifications, the corresponding block motion picture files are sequentially obtained and transmitted to server 300, then communication device 200 transmits the intermediate and subsequent block motion picture files to server 300. In other words, the previously combined block motion picture files are not transmitted to server 300. To prevent this situation, the automatic transmission processing in this embodiment includes the following operation: if the previously combined block motion picture files have not yet been transmitted, then the transmission of intermediate and subsequent block motion picture files is prevented. As an example, the following describes the process for determining whether a motion picture file should be transmitted based on the type of the generated chunked motion picture file and a flag used to indicate whether the chunks are continuous.

[0069] Figure 7A and Figure 7B This example illustrates a series of operations in the automatic transmission process performed by the communication device 200. Unless otherwise specified, the automatic transmission process according to this embodiment is implemented by the control unit 201 loading a program stored in the non-volatile memory 203 into the working memory 204 and executing the program to control the various units of the communication device 200. For example, it is initiated in response to pressing the capture / automatic transmission button 503 on the function selection screen 501. Figure 7A and Figure 7B The operations illustrated in .

[0070] In step S701, the control unit 201 (in response to the pressing of the capture / auto transfer button 503) displays the capture / auto transfer screen 504 on the display unit 206. Note that the control unit 201 can initialize the continuous block flag (described later) to the OFF state. In step S702, the control unit 201 stands by to receive a motion image file generation notification from the camera device 100 and determines whether a motion image file generation notification has been received from the camera device 100. If the control unit 201 determines that a motion image file generation notification has been received, the sequence proceeds to step S703; otherwise, the sequence proceeds to step S711.

[0071] In step S703, the control unit 201 determines whether the motion picture file indicated by the received generation notification is a proxy motion picture file. The control unit 201 determines the type of the motion picture file based on the filename of the motion picture file included in the received generation notification. If the type of the motion picture file included in the filename indicates a proxy motion picture file, the control unit 201 determines that the motion picture file is a proxy motion picture file. If the control unit 201 determines that the motion picture file is a proxy motion picture file, the sequence proceeds to step S709; and if the motion picture file is not a proxy motion picture file, the sequence proceeds to step S704. More specifically, the control unit 201 determines whether the motion picture file is a proxy motion picture file by, for example, determining whether the fourth letter after "MVI" in the motion picture filename is "P".

[0072] In step S704, the control unit 201 determines whether the motion picture file indicated by the received generation notification is a beginning segment motion picture file. The control unit 201 determines the type of the segment motion picture file based on the filename of the motion picture file included in the received generation notification. If the type of the segment motion picture file included in the filename is a beginning segment motion picture file, the control unit 201 moves the sequence to step S705. On the other hand, if the motion picture file for which the generation notification has been received is not a beginning segment motion picture file, the control unit 201 moves the sequence to step S706. More specifically, the control unit 201 determines whether the motion picture file is a beginning segment motion picture file by determining whether the fourth letter after "MVI" in the motion picture filename is "B".

[0073] In step S705, if the motion picture file indicated by the motion picture file generation notification is the first segment motion picture file, the control unit 201 sets the continuous segment flag to ON. Note that the continuous segment flag is used to indicate whether a series of segment motion picture files to be combined has been successfully transmitted starting from the first segment motion picture file. Whether the flag is ON determines whether to transmit intermediate or subsequent segment motion picture files.

[0074] Note that if a file is obtained from the camera device 100 (via steps S709 and S710), the file is transmitted to the server. Therefore, the continuous segmentation flag also essentially indicates whether a motion picture file has been successfully obtained from the beginning segment of the motion picture file. Therefore, the communication device 100 can also determine whether to obtain intermediate or subsequent segmented motion picture files based on whether the flag is ON.

[0075] In step S706, the control unit 201 determines whether the continuous segmentation flag is ON, and if the continuous segmentation flag is ON, the sequence moves to step S707 (because the segmented motion image file is to be transmitted). On the other hand, if the continuous segmentation flag is not ON, the control unit 201 moves the sequence to step S711 (because the segmented motion image file will not be transmitted).

[0076] In step S707, the control unit 201 determines whether the motion picture file indicated by the generation notification is a last-piece motion picture file. For example, the control unit 201 determines the type of the motion picture file based on the filename included in the received generation notification. If the type of the motion picture file is a last-piece motion picture file, the control unit 201 moves the sequence to step S708. However, if the motion picture file for which the generation notification has been received is not a last-piece motion picture file, the control unit 201 moves the sequence to step S709. More specifically, the control unit 201 determines whether the motion picture file is a last-piece motion picture file by determining whether the fourth letter after "MVI" in the motion picture filename is "E". In step S708, the control unit 201 (when the filename indicates a last-piece motion picture file) sets the continuous segmentation flag to OFF and moves the sequence to step S709.

[0077] In step S709, the control unit 201 sends a motion image file acquisition request to the camera device 100 to obtain a motion image file corresponding to the received generation notification, and obtains the motion image file from the camera device 100 in response to the motion image file acquisition request. In step S710, the control unit 201 sends the motion image file obtained from the camera device 100 to the server 300.

[0078] In step S711, the control unit 201 determines whether a shooting / automatic transfer end operation has been accepted (by pressing the return button 505 set in the shooting / automatic transfer screen 504). If the control unit 201 determines that an end operation has been received, the sequence moves to step S712; otherwise, the sequence returns to step S702. In step S712, the control unit 210 sets the segmented communication flag to OFF, and in S713, the control unit 201 ends the shooting / automatic transfer function by displaying the function selection screen 501. As described above, by using the segmented motion image file type and the continuous segmentation flag to determine whether the previous segmented motion image file to be combined has been transferred, the transfer of intermediate and subsequent segmented motion image files can be prevented.

[0079] Processing sequence when the initial segmented motion image file has been successfully received Reference Figure 8A and Figure 8B This describes the processing sequence performed between the devices after the shooting / automatic transmission function has been started in the communication device 200 and all segmented motion image files have been successfully transmitted by starting segmented recording in the camera device 100.

[0080] At T801, the communication device 200 accepts the user's press of the capture / automatic transfer button 503 on the function selection screen 501. At T802, the communication device 200 displays the capture / automatic transfer screen 504 (as in step S701). At T803, the communication device 200 transitions to a state of waiting for notification from the camera device 100 until (through the judgment process in step S711) the user accepts the end of the capture / automatic transfer operation. Although Figure 8A and Figure 8B The example shown is an example where the communication device 200 simply enters a standby state at T803, but the communication device 200 can notify the camera device 100 that it has entered a standby state due to the shooting / automatic transmission function.

[0081] At T804, the camera device 100, with block recording set to in progress, accepts a recording start operation from the user and begins block recording. At T805, in order to generate a motion picture file divided into time segments of a predetermined length specified by the user, the camera device 100 starts a periodic timer for block recording, which periodically expires after a predetermined length of time specified by the user.

[0082] When the block recording period timer expires at T806, the camera device 100 generates a block motion image file at T807. At T808, the camera device 100 sends a motion image file generation notification to the communication device 200. At this time, the generated motion image file is the initial block motion image file, therefore the camera device 100 generates a motion image file generation notification indicating that the file name is "MVIB0001.MP4".

[0083] At T809, upon receiving a motion picture file generation notification from the camera device 100, the communication device 200 refers to the motion picture file name and (through the judgment processing in steps S703 and S704) determines that the motion picture file is a beginning-block motion picture file. At T810, the communication device 200 turns the continuous block flag ON (as in step S705).

[0084] At T811, the communication device 200 sends a motion image file acquisition request to the camera device 100 (as in step S709), and acquires the motion image file from the camera device as a response to the motion image file acquisition request. At T812, the communication device 200 sends the motion image file acquired from the camera device 100 to the server 300 (as in step S710), and (through the judgment process in step S711) returns to the state of waiting for notification from the camera device 100.

[0085] In the camera device 100, when the next segment recording cycle timer expires at T813, the camera device 100 generates a segmented motion picture file at T814. At T815, the camera device 100 sends a notification of the generation of the generated segmented motion picture file to the communication device 200. At this time, the generated motion picture file is an intermediate segmented motion picture file, therefore the camera device 100 generates a notification indicating that the motion picture file is named "MVID0002.MP4".

[0086] At T816, upon receiving a notification that a motion picture file has been generated, the communication device 200 refers to the motion picture file name and (through the judgment processing in steps S703 and S704) determines that the motion picture file is not the first segment motion picture file. Next, the communication device 200 determines whether the continuous segmentation flag is ON (as in step S706), and based on the processing result at T810, determines that the continuous segmentation flag is ON. Furthermore, the communication device 200 refers to the motion picture file name and determines that the motion picture file is not the last segment motion picture file (as in step S707).

[0087] At T817, communication device 200 sends a motion image file acquisition request to camera device 100 (as in step S709), and acquires the motion image file from camera device as a response to the motion image file acquisition request. At T818, communication device 200 sends the motion image file acquired from camera device 100 to server 300 (as in step S710), and (through the judgment process in step S711) returns to the state of waiting for notification from camera device 100.

[0088] When the recording stop operation is received from the user at T819, the camera device 100 stops the block recording cycle timer at T820. At T821, the camera device 100 generates a proxy motion picture file and sends a notification of the generation of the proxy motion picture file to the communication device 200 at T822. At this time, the generated motion picture file is an end-block motion picture file, so the camera device 100 generates a notification indicating that the motion picture file is named "MVIE0003.MP4".

[0089] At T823, upon receiving a notification of motion image file generation, communication device 200 refers to the motion image file name and (through the judgment processing in steps S703 and S704) determines that the motion image file is not the first segment motion image file. Next, communication device 200 determines whether the continuous segmentation flag is ON (as in step S706), and determines that the continuous segmentation flag is ON based on the processing result at T810. Furthermore, communication device 200 refers to the motion image file name and determines that the motion image file is the last segment motion image file (as in step S707). At T824, communication device 200 sets the continuous segmentation flag to OFF (as in step S708). At T825, communication device 200 sends a motion image file acquisition request to camera device 100 (as in step S709), and acquires the motion image file from camera device as a response to the motion image file acquisition request. At T826, the communication device 200 sends the motion image file obtained from the camera device 100 to the server 300 (as in step S710). In this way, a series of segmented motion image files can be correctly transmitted when segmented recording has started after the shooting / automatic transfer function has started.

[0090] Processing sequence when the initial segmented motion image file has not yet been successfully received. Reference Figure 9A and Figure 9B This describes the processing sequence performed between devices after the camera device 100 has started recording in blocks and generated the initial block motion image file, and the communication device 200 has started shooting / automatic transmission.

[0091] At T901, the camera device 100 accepts a recording start operation from the user while block recording is set to proceed, and begins block recording. At T902, in order to generate a motion picture file divided into time segments of a predetermined length specified by the user, the camera device 100 starts a periodic timer for block recording, which expires periodically after a predetermined length of time specified by the user.

[0092] When the block recording period timer expires at T903, the camera device 100 generates a block motion image file at T904. At T904, the camera device 100 sends a motion image file generation notification to the communication device 200. At this time, the generated motion image file is the initial block motion image file, so the camera device 100 generates a motion image file generation notification indicating that the file name is "MVIB0001.MP4". Here, the communication device 200 has not yet received the motion image file generation notification from the camera device 100, and therefore does not perform any operation.

[0093] At T906, the communication device 200 accepts the user's press of the capture / automatic transfer button 503 on the function selection screen 501. At T907, the communication device 200 displays the capture / automatic transfer screen 504 on the display unit 206 (as in step S701). At T908, the communication device 200 switches to a state of waiting for notification from the camera device 100 until (through the judgment process in step S711) the user accepts the end of the capture / automatic transfer operation.

[0094] When the block recording period timer expires at T909, the camera device 100 generates a block motion image file at T910. At T911, the camera device 100 sends a motion image file generation notification to the communication device 200. At this time, the generated motion image file is an intermediate block motion image file, therefore the camera device 100 generates a motion image file generation notification indicating that the file name is "MVID0002.MP4".

[0095] At T912, upon receiving a motion picture file generation notification, communication device 200 refers to the motion picture file name and (through the judgment processing in steps S703 and S704) determines that the motion picture file is not the first segment motion picture file. Communication device 200 determines whether the continuous segmentation flag is ON (as in step S706) and determines that the continuous segmentation flag is not ON. Since the continuous segmentation flag is OFF, communication device 200 determines that it will not transmit the motion picture file related to the received generation notification. Then, communication device 200 (through the judgment processing in step S711) again transitions to the state of waiting for a notification from camera device 100.

[0096] When the recording stop operation is received from the user at T913, the camera device 100 stops the periodic timer used for segmented recording at T914. At T915, the camera device 100 generates a segmented motion picture file. At T916, the camera device 100 sends a notification of the generation of the generated segmented motion picture file to the communication device 200. At this time, the generated motion picture file is the last segmented motion picture file, therefore the camera device 100 generates a notification indicating that the motion picture file is named "MVIE0003.MP4".

[0097] At T917, upon receiving a motion picture file generation notification, communication device 200 refers to the motion picture file name and (through the judgment processing in steps S703 and S704) determines that the motion picture file is not the first segment motion picture file. Next, communication device 200 determines whether the continuous segmentation flag is ON (as in step S706) and determines that the continuous segmentation flag is not ON. Since the continuous segmentation flag is OFF, communication device 200 determines that it will not transmit the motion picture file related to the received generation notification. Then, communication device 200 (through the judgment processing in step S711) again transitions to the state of waiting for a notification from camera device 100.

[0098] As described above, even if the first segment of motion image file has not been obtained after the shooting / automatic transmission function is activated, the communication device 200 can ensure that the segment of motion image file is not transmitted if the middle segment of motion image file or the last segment of motion image file has been received.

[0099] On the other hand, if a (new) segmented recording has already started in the camera device 100 while the shooting / automatic transmission function remains active, the motion picture file can be obtained starting from the beginning of the motion picture file. Therefore, the communication device 200 transmits the segmented motion picture file (to the server 300).

[0100] At T918, with segmented recording set to in progress, the camera device 100 begins segmented recording by receiving recording from the user. At T919, in order to generate a motion picture file divided into time segments of a predetermined length specified by the user, the camera device 100 starts a periodic timer for segmented recording, which periodically expires after a predetermined length of time specified by the user.

[0101] When the block recording period timer expires at T920, the camera device 100 generates a block motion image file at T921. At T922, the camera device 100 sends a motion image file generation notification of the generated proxy motion image file to the communication device 200.

[0102] At this point, the generated motion picture file is a segmented motion picture file, and therefore the camera device 100 generates a motion picture file generation notification indicating that the file name is "MVIB0004.MP4". Although the file name is different from the segmented motion picture file "MVIB0001.MP4" generated in T904, the camera device 100 sets the type of the segmented motion picture file (i.e., the fourth letter) to "B".

[0103] At T923, upon receiving a notification of motion picture file generation, communication device 200 refers to the motion picture file name and (through the judgment processing in steps S703 and S704) determines that the motion picture file is the first segment motion picture file. At T924, communication device 200 sets the continuous segment flag to ON (as in step S705). At T925, communication device 200 sends a motion picture file acquisition request to camera device 100 (as in step S709) and acquires the motion picture file from camera device as a response to the motion picture file acquisition request. At T926, communication device 200 sends the motion picture file acquired from camera device 100 to server 300 (as in step S710) and (through the judgment processing in step S711) again transitions to a state of waiting for notification from camera device 100. The subsequent processing performed during the generation of the intermediate and final segment motion picture files is equivalent to... Figure 8A and Figure 8B The processing described in the text will therefore be omitted.

[0104] As described above, when a file has been generated in the camera device 100, the communication device 200 controls the acquisition of the file from the camera device and transmits the file to the server upon acquisition. At this time, if the camera device 100 has already generated a segmented motion picture file (segment file), the communication device 200 determines the transmission status of the segmented motion picture file from the beginning of the motion picture up to the segment file preceding it. Then, based on the transmission status, it controls whether to acquire the generated segmented motion picture file (segment file) from the camera device 100. For example, in a series of segmented motion picture files to be combined, the communication device 200 determines whether transmission has already started from the first segmented motion picture file. If transmission has not successfully started from the first segmented motion picture file (such as when shooting / automatic transmission begins after segmented recording starts in the camera device 100), the intermediate segmented transmission files and the last segmented transmission file are not transmitted. However, even in this case, if the series of block motion picture files can be successfully transmitted (starting from the first block motion picture file) after the start of block recording, then consecutive block motion picture files are transmitted.

[0105] This prevents the transfer of segmented motion picture files that would prevent the reconstruction of the entire motion picture.

[0106] The foregoing embodiments describe the continuous segmentation flag as a flag indicating whether transmission has been successfully completed from the beginning of the first segmented motion picture file. However, the communication device 200 can also use this flag as a flag indicating whether the beginning of the first segmented motion picture file has been successfully obtained. Furthermore, the communication device 200 can determine whether to obtain intermediate or subsequent segmented motion picture files based on whether the flag is ON. In other words, if the camera device 100 has already generated segmented motion picture files (segmented files), the communication device 200 can determine the acquisition status of the segmented motion picture files from the beginning of the motion picture up to the segmented files preceding the segmented motion picture file to be processed. If the segmented motion picture files from the beginning of the motion picture up to the segmented files preceding the segmented motion picture file to be processed have not been obtained, the communication device 200 controls the acquisition of the segmented motion picture file to be processed from the camera device 100. Conversely, if a segmented motion picture file has been obtained from the beginning of the motion picture up to the segmented motion picture file to be processed, the communication device 200 controls the acquisition of the segmented motion picture file to be processed from the camera device 100.

[0107] Although this embodiment describes an example of determining whether to transmit intermediate and final motion picture files based on a contiguous segment flag indicating whether the first segment of the motion picture file has already been transmitted, the determination method is not limited to this. For example, if the filename includes an expression indicating the generation order, that order can be used. Specifically, the communication device 200 can store the filename of the previously transmitted file and then determine whether the filename of the next generation notification received is continuous with the transmitted filename. In this case, if it is not continuous with the previous segment of the motion picture file, the communication device 200 can skip transmitting the segment of the motion picture file.

[0108] Furthermore, although this embodiment describes an example of determining the type of a motion picture file or a segmented motion picture file based on its filename, the determination method is not limited to this. For example, information indicating the type can be input into the metadata area of ​​the motion picture file, and the communication device 200 can determine the type of the motion picture file or the segmented motion picture file by referring to this metadata area. In this case, the communication device 200 can obtain the motion picture file from the camera device 100, refer to the metadata area, and control whether to transmit the motion picture file to the server 300 according to the type of the segmented motion picture file. Alternatively, the communication device 200 can obtain information from the metadata area of ​​the motion picture file from the camera device 100 and (without receiving the file itself) process the reference metadata information.

[0109] Alternatively, the motion picture file generation notification may include the generation time of the initial motion picture file and the generation time of the motion picture file corresponding to the generation notification. In the initial motion picture file generation notification, the generation time of the initial motion picture file is consistent with the generation time of the motion picture file corresponding to the generation notification. In this way, the communication device can also determine whether the motion picture file is the initial motion picture file or another motion picture file based on whether the times are consistent, and then determine the type of motion picture file to be used (e.g., a segmented motion picture file).

[0110] The communication device 200 can also obtain the type of the segmented motion image file from the camera device 100 by querying the camera device 100 for the type of the obtained segmented motion image file, such as by using the filename or identifier of the motion image file. This allows for the determination of the type of the segmented motion image file.

[0111] Second Embodiment The second embodiment will now be described. In the first embodiment described above, a notification standby state can be entered regardless of whether segmented recording has started. Then, in a series of segmented motion picture files to be combined, the communication device 200 controls the transmission of the intermediate and final segmented motion picture files based on whether transmission has started from the first segmented motion picture file. In the second embodiment, control is performed such that the shooting / automatic transmission function cannot start unless the segmented recording of the camera device 100 stops. Although the second embodiment differs from the first embodiment in some aspects of the automatic transmission processing operation in the communication device 200, the configuration of the camera device 100 and the communication device 200 is the same as in the first embodiment. Therefore, the same or substantially the same configurations will be given the same reference numerals, and repeated descriptions will be omitted.

[0112] Automatic transmission processing operation in communication equipment 200 Reference Figure 10This describes a series of operations in the automatic transmission process performed by the communication device 200. Unless otherwise specified, this process is implemented by the control unit 201 loading a program stored in the non-volatile memory 203 into the working memory 204 and executing the program to control the various units of the communication device 200. The automatic transmission process is initiated in response to pressing the capture / automatic transmission button 503 on the function selection screen 501.

[0113] In step S1001, the control unit 201 sends a recording status acquisition request to the camera device 100. The recording status includes information regarding whether the camera 100 is currently recording and what type of recording is in progress. In other words, the recording status indicates whether motion is being recorded, and whether the recorded motion is a proxy motion image or a segmented motion image. For example, the camera device 100 responds to the communication device 100 using a recording status of "not recording," "proxy recording in progress," or "segmented recording in progress."

[0114] In step S1002, the control unit 201 determines whether the camera device 100 is currently recording based on the obtained recording status. If the recording status of the camera device 100 is "in progress with proxy recording" or "in progress with block recording," the control unit 201 determines that recording is in progress and moves the sequence to step S1003. However, if the recording status is "not recording," the control unit 201 moves the sequence to step S1004.

[0115] In step S1003, the control unit 201 determines the recording type based on the obtained recording status. If the recording status is "in progress of proxy recording," the control unit 201 moves the sequence to step S1004; if the recording status is "in progress of block recording," it moves the sequence to step S1010. In step S1004, the control unit 201 displays the shooting / automatic transfer screen 504.

[0116] In step S1005, if the control unit 201 has received a motion image file generation notification from the camera device 100, it moves the sequence to step S1006; if it has not received a motion image file generation notification, it moves the sequence to step S1008.

[0117] In step S1006, the control unit 201 sends a request to the camera device 100 to obtain the motion image file in response to the received motion image file generation notification, and obtains the motion image file from the camera device as a response to the motion image file acquisition request. In step S1007, the control unit 201 sends the motion image file obtained from the camera device 100 to the server 300.

[0118] In step S1008, the control unit 201 determines whether a shooting / automatic transmission end operation has been received by the user pressing the return button 505 set in the shooting / automatic transmission screen 504. If the control unit 201 determines that an end operation has been received in step S1008, it ends the shooting / automatic transmission function by displaying the function selection screen 501. If no end operation has been received, the sequence returns to step S1005, where a notification is received again from the camera device 100.

[0119] In step S1010, the control unit 201 displays, for example... Figure 12 Warning message 1201, as illustrated, indicates that the capture / automatic transfer function cannot be used during chunk recording. In this way, by prohibiting the capture / automatic transfer function during chunk recording, intermediate and subsequent chunk motion picture files can be prevented from being transferred if the previous chunk motion picture files to be combined have not yet been transferred.

[0120] In application Figure 10 Processing sequence during processing In addition, reference will be made Figure 11 This describes the sequence of processes that occur between devices after the user has performed an action to select the capture / automatic transfer function.

[0121] At T1101, the communication device 200 accepts the user's press of the capture / automatic transfer button 503 on the function selection screen 501. At T1102, the communication device 200 sends a recording status acquisition request to the camera device 100 (as in step S1001) and obtains the recording status from the camera device 100. At T1103, if the recording status is "not recording" or "proxy recording in progress," the communication device 200 (through the processing of step S1004 based on the judgments made in steps S1002 and S1003) displays the capture / automatic transfer screen 504.

[0122] At T1104, the communication device 200 transitions to a state of waiting for notification from the camera device 100 until (through the judgment processing in steps S1005 and S1008) it receives a recording / automatic transmission end operation from the user. Automatic transmission processing then commences. For example, if the recording status is "not recording," the processing indicated in T601 to T606 above is performed in the case of proxy recording, while the processing indicated in T607 to T624 above is performed in the case of block recording. Furthermore, if the recording status is "proxy recording in progress," recording has already begun, and therefore the processing in T602 to T606 above is performed.

[0123] On the other hand, if the recording status obtained at T1102 is "block recording in progress", the communication device 200 displays a warning message 1201 on the display unit 206 at T1105 (as in step S1010).

[0124] Although this embodiment describes the case where the recording type is obtained from the camera device 100 at the time of starting the shooting / automatic transmission function as an example, the configuration is not limited to this. For example, the camera device 100 may notify the communication device 200 of the recording type when connected to the communication device 200 or when the recording type changes, and the communication device 200 may activate or deactivate the shooting / automatic transmission function upon receiving the recording type.

[0125] As described above, according to this embodiment, the communication device 200 obtains the recording status of the moving images in the camera device 100 (the recording status in which continuous time-series data is recorded to a file). Then, if the obtained recording status is that block recording is in progress (the status of generating a segmented file), the communication device 100 disables the shooting / automatic transmission function and controls the process so that the file cannot be obtained from the camera device 100. On the other hand, if the recording status is not that block recording is in progress (the status of not generating a segmented file), the communication device 100 activates the shooting / automatic transmission function and controls the process so that the file can be obtained from the camera device 100.

[0126] This prevents the communication device 200 (to the server, etc.) from transmitting intermediate and subsequent segmented motion picture files before the previous segmented motion picture files to be combined have been transmitted.

[0127] Other embodiments The present invention can also be implemented by supplying a program for implementing one or more functions of the above embodiments to a system or device via a network or using a storage medium, and then causing one or more processors of the computer of the system or device to read and execute the program. The present invention can also be implemented by circuitry (e.g., an ASIC) for implementing one or more functions.

[0128] This invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and various changes and modifications can be made within the spirit and scope of this invention. Therefore, the appended claims are made to inform the public of the scope of this invention. This application claims priority to Japanese Patent Application 2023-192350, filed on November 10, 2023, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0129] [Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures] 100 camera equipment 200 communication devices 201 Control Unit 211 Communication Unit 206 display units

Claims

1. A communication device, characterized in that, include: Communication components, used for communicating with external devices; A control unit is configured to control the acquisition of a file from a first external device via the communication unit when a file is generated in the first external device. as well as A transmission component, used to transmit the file to a second external device via the communication component upon obtaining the file. In the case where a first segmented file is generated in the first external device as a segmented file generated sequentially by segmenting continuous time series data, the control unit controls whether to obtain the first segmented file from the first external device based on the acquisition status of segmented files from the beginning of the time series data up to the segmented files preceding the first segmented file.

2. The communication device according to claim 1, characterized in that, If no segmentation file is obtained from the beginning of the time series data up to the segmentation file preceding the first segmentation file, the control unit does not obtain the first segmentation file from the first external device.

3. The communication device according to claim 1, characterized in that, Having obtained the segmented files from the beginning of the time series data up to the segmented files preceding the first segmented file, the control unit obtains the first segmented file from the first external device.

4. The communication device according to claim 1, characterized in that, When a second segment file corresponding to the beginning of the time series data is generated in the first external device, the control unit obtains the second segment file from the first external device.

5. The communication device according to claim 1, characterized in that, In the case where a file containing the entire time series data is generated in the first external device, the control unit obtains the file containing the entire time series data from the first external device.

6. The communication device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The control unit receives a generation notification from the first external device indicating that the file has been generated, and identifies, based on the information included in the generation notification, whether the generated file is the first segmented file or a second segmented file corresponding to the beginning of the time series data.

7. The communication device according to claim 1, characterized in that, When the file is generated in the first external device, the control unit identifies whether the generated file is the first segmented file or a second segmented file corresponding to the beginning of the time series data based on the filename of the file obtained from the first external device.

8. The communication device according to claim 1, characterized in that, When the file is generated in the first external device, the control unit obtains the file's metadata and identifies, based on the obtained metadata, whether the generated file is the first segmented file or a second segmented file corresponding to the beginning of the time series data.

9. A communication device, characterized in that, include: Communication components, used for communicating with external devices; A receiving component is used to obtain, via the communication component, the recording status of continuous time-series data from a first external device being recorded to a file; A control unit is configured to control the acquisition of a file from a first external device via the communication unit when a file is generated in the first external device. as well as A transmission component, used to transmit the file to a second external device via the communication component upon obtaining the file. Specifically, when the recording state obtained by the obtaining component is a state in which a segmented file is being generated by segmenting the continuous time series data, the control component controls to prevent the file from being obtained from the first external device; and when the recording state is not a state in which the segmented file is being generated, the control component controls to enable the file to be obtained from the first external device.

10. A control method for a communication device, the communication device including a communication component for communicating with an external device, the control method being characterized by comprising: In the case of a file being generated in the first external device, control is performed to obtain the file from the first external device via the communication component; as well as Upon obtaining the file, the file is transmitted to a second external device via the communication component. In the control described herein, when a first segmented file is generated in the first external device as a segmented file generated sequentially by segmenting continuous time series data, the control is made to determine whether to obtain the first segmented file from the first external device based on the acquisition status of segmented files from the beginning of the time series data up to the segmented files preceding the first segmented file.

11. A control method for a communication device, the communication device including a communication component for communicating with an external device, the control method being characterized by comprising: The recording status of continuous time-series data from the first external device being recorded to a file is obtained via the communication component; In the case of a file being generated in the first external device, control is performed to obtain the file from the first external device via the communication component; as well as Upon obtaining the file, the file is transmitted to a second external device via the communication component. Specifically, in the control, if the recorded state obtained in the acquisition is a state in which a segmented file is being generated by segmenting the continuous time series data, control is performed to prevent the file from being obtained from the first external device; and if the recorded state is not a state in which the segmented file is being generated, control is performed to enable the file to be obtained from the first external device.

12. A program for enabling a computer to function as various components of a communication device according to any one of claims 1 to 9.

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