Image management device, image management method, and program

Abstract

To more flexibly perform processing to transferred image data.SOLUTION: An information processing device is provided with a processing part for setting a grace period from image transfer to image deletion in accordance with a user's instruction, and instructing to delete the transferred image data obtained by transferring a copied matter that is copied from a first storage area to a second storage area from the first storage area after a grace period elapse with the transfer initiated.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3B

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The disclosure of this specification relates to an image management device, an image management method, and a program. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, in order to efficiently manage a large number of images, a technique has been proposed for automatically deleting images from a storage device (Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2013-008379 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] For example, unlike the image data that is automatically deleted in Patent Document 1, the transferred image data at the transfer source serves as a backup for the transferred image data at the transfer destination. For this reason, there is a risk that users will refrain from using the deletion function out of concern that the transferred image data at the transfer destination will no longer be able to fulfill its role as a backup if the transferred image data at the transfer destination is deleted due to an incorrect operation at the transfer destination or if the transfer process fails.

[0005] In view of the above circumstances, an object of one aspect of the present invention is to perform processing on transferred image data more flexibly. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] An image management device according to one embodiment of the present invention includes a processing unit that sets a grace period from image transfer to image deletion in response to a user's instruction, and instructs that transferred image data that has been copied and transferred from a first storage area to a second storage area different from the first storage area be deleted from the first storage area after the grace period has elapsed since the start of the transfer.

[0007] An image management method according to one embodiment of the present invention includes a computer that sets a grace period from image transfer to image deletion, and deletes transferred image data that has been copied and then transferred from a first storage area to a second storage area different from the first storage area after the grace period has elapsed since the start of the transfer.

[0008] A program according to one embodiment of the present invention sets a grace period from image transfer to image deletion in response to a user's instruction, and causes a computer to execute a process of instructing a deletion of transferred image data, which has been copied and then transferred from a first storage area to a second storage area different from the first storage area, from the first storage area after the grace period has elapsed since the start of the transfer. Effect of the Invention

[0009] According to the above aspect, the processing of the transferred image data can be performed more flexibly. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a system according to a first embodiment. [Diagram 2] 1 is a block diagram showing an example of a hardware configuration of an information processing device according to a first embodiment. [Figure 3A] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a display example of a wireless setting screen in default settings according to the first embodiment. [Figure 3B] 13 is a diagram showing another display example of the wireless setting screen according to the first embodiment. FIG. [Figure 4] 5 is a flowchart illustrating an example of processing executed by the information processing device according to the first embodiment. [Diagram 5] 10 is a flowchart showing another example of the process executed by the information processing device according to the first embodiment. [Figure 6] 5A and 5B are diagrams illustrating an example of transfer and deletion of image data from a recording medium resulting from the processing shown in FIG. 4. [Figure 7] 13 is a flowchart of a process for updating a grace period setting. [Figure 8] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a display example of a wireless setting screen according to the second embodiment. [Figure 9] 13 is a flowchart illustrating an example of processing executed by an information processing device according to the second embodiment. [Figure 10A] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of a display of a confirmation dialog according to the second embodiment. [Figure 10B] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing another display example of the confirmation dialog according to the second embodiment. [Figure 11] FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a system according to a third embodiment. [Figure 12] FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a system according to a fourth embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0011] (First embodiment) Fig. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a system configuration according to this embodiment. Fig. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of an information processing device according to this embodiment. The system 1 shown in Fig. 1 is an image management system including a camera 10 and an information processing device 20, and manages image data acquired by photographing with the camera 10. In the system 1, the camera 10 and the information processing device 20 are connected so as to be able to communicate with each other.

[0012] The camera 10 is a photographing device that captures image data by photographing. The camera 10 includes an image sensor (not shown) and a recording medium 11 that records the image data. The image data captured by the camera 10 is recorded on the recording medium 11.

[0013] The camera 10 has a communication function and exchanges image data and the like with the information processing device 20. Note that, although an example in which the camera 10 and the information processing device 20 are wirelessly connected is shown in Fig. 1, the camera 10 and the information processing device 20 may be connected by a communication cable.

[0014] The information processing device 20 is an image management device that manages image data acquired by the camera 10, and is communicatively connected to the camera 10 having a recording medium 11. The information processing device 20 is a computer that executes an image management program, and includes, for example, a processor 21, a storage device 22, an input device 23, a display device 24, and a communication device 25, as shown in FIG.

[0015] The storage device 22 stores, for example, an image management application program (program 22a) that has been pre-installed. In the information processing device 20, the processor 21 executes the program 22a stored in the storage device 22, thereby performing image management processing including the transfer of image data from the recording medium 11 of the camera 10 to the information processing device 20 and the automatic deletion of the transferred image data from the recording medium 11. The image data 22b transferred to the information processing device 20 is stored in the storage device 22.

[0016] In the system 1 configured as described above, the information processing device 20 performs image management processing including image data transfer and automatic deletion, thereby making it possible to suppress the occurrence of various inconveniences associated with the accumulation of a large amount of image data in the recording medium 11. In particular, automatic deletion automatically deletes image data that meets a predetermined condition, thereby making it possible to prevent, for example, a situation in which the free space of the recording medium 11 becomes tight due to a large amount of image data, making it impossible to acquire new image data (i.e., a situation in which the operation of the device at the transfer source is affected by a large amount of image data remaining at the transfer source) or a situation in which the time required to scan the recording medium 11 to extract image data to be transferred or deleted becomes longer than acceptable (i.e., a situation in which the speed of transfer is affected by a large amount of image data remaining at the transfer source) can be prevented.

[0017] The following describes the setting of automatic deletion included in the image management process performed by the information processing device 20. Figures 3A and 3B are diagrams showing an example of a wireless setting screen display according to this embodiment. The user of the information processing device 20 can set an automatic deletion function that automatically deletes transferred image data from the recording medium 11 on the wireless setting screen 30 displayed on the display device 24 by the processor 21 executing the program 22a.

[0018] The wireless setting screen 30 is a screen for configuring wireless communication settings between the camera 10 and the information processing device 20, and includes a mode selection area 31 and an automatic deletion setting area 32. In the default state (i.e., initial settings), as shown in Fig. 3A, the camera wireless mode is set to the access point (AP) mode in the mode selection area 31.

[0019] The AP mode is a mode in which the camera 10 itself operates as an access point (i.e., a parent device) to perform communication between the camera 10 and the information processing device 20. The station (ST) mode is a mode in which the camera 10 operates as a child device, and is a mode in which communication between the camera 10 and the information processing device 20 is performed via a different access point.

[0020] Also, in the default state (i.e., initial setting), as shown in Fig. 3A, "Do not delete" which does not perform automatic deletion is selected in the automatic deletion setting area 32. The automatic deletion setting area 32 includes a grace period setting area 33 in which the user can specify the grace period from image transfer to image deletion. The grace period setting area 33 is, for example, a list box for selecting the length of the grace period from predetermined options, but in the default state, this list box is disabled as shown in Fig. 3A.

[0021] It should be noted that the list box need not be operable by the user in the default state, or more precisely, when "Do not delete" is selected in the automatic deletion setting area 32, and instead of disabling the list box, the list box may be made invisible.

[0022] If the user wishes to automatically delete the transferred image data from the recording medium 11, the user may select "Delete" in the automatic deletion setting area 32. This causes the transferred image data to be automatically deleted from the recording medium 11 in the image management process performed by the processor 21. In this manner, in the information processing device 20, the user can easily switch between enabling and disabling the automatic deletion function on the wireless setting screen 30.

[0023] Furthermore, when "Delete" is selected, grace period setting area 33 (list box) is enabled as shown in Fig. 3B, and the length of the grace period from image transfer to image deletion can be selected. When the user selects the length of the grace period from the options in grace period setting area 33 and presses the OK button, processor 21 sets the grace period according to the user's selection. In this way, in information processing device 20, the user can set the grace period when enabling the automatic deletion function.

[0024] In addition, in Fig. 3B, four options are shown as examples: "immediately after transfer", "30 days after transfer", "60 days after transfer", and "90 days after transfer", but the options selectable in the list box are not limited to these examples. The options should at least include immediately after image transfer (in Fig. 3B, "immediately after transfer") and a certain period of time after image transfer (in Fig. 3B, "30 days after", "60 days after", and "90 days after")

[0025] As described above, in the information processing device 20, the processor 21 operates as a processing unit that executes a setting process for setting a grace period, and a deletion process for deleting, from the recording medium 11, a copy of which has been transferred from the recording medium 11, which is an example of a first storage area, to the storage device 22, which is an example of a second storage area different from the recording medium 11, after the grace period has elapsed, the start of which began with the transfer. More strictly speaking, it is desirable to set the start of the grace period to the end of the transfer of the image data.

[0026] Since the grace period until automatic deletion can be set based on the transfer timing, even if the automatic deletion function is enabled in the information processing device 20, time can be secured for the user to check whether the transfer has been completed normally. This makes it possible to ease the user's concerns about unexpected loss of image data due to transfer failure, and is expected to have the effect of encouraging users to use the automatic deletion function.

[0027] Furthermore, in the information processing device 20, the processor 21, which is a processing unit, sets the grace period based on a user operation from among options including immediately after image transfer and a certain period after image transfer, as shown in FIG. 3B.

[0028] In other words, the user can freely select the length of the grace period. Therefore, the user can appropriately select the optimal grace period according to the environment of each system, such as the capacity of the recording medium 11, the period during which the transferred image data is required as a backup, and the frequency of image data generation. Generally, the longer the grace period is set, the more image data is stored in the recording medium 11, and the longer it takes to perform one image management process (image transfer and deletion), but the information processing device 20 makes it possible to strike a good balance between the risk of image data loss and the processing time required for image management processing.

[0029] Fig. 4 is a flowchart showing an example of processing executed by the information processing device according to the present embodiment. Fig. 5 is a flowchart showing another example of processing executed by the information processing device according to the present embodiment. Hereinafter, a specific example of image management processing executed by the information processing device 20 in a state where the automatic deletion function is enabled will be described with reference to Figs. 4 and 5.

[0030] First, an example of automatic deletion performed in synchronization with the transfer of image data will be described with reference to Fig. 4. If the automatic transfer function of image data from the camera 10 to the information processing device 20 is enabled, the process shown in Fig. 4 is performed, for example, when the program 22a is started.

[0031] 4 starts, the processor 21 first acquires a grace period from the transfer of image data to automatic deletion (step S1). The grace period acquired in step S1 is a period previously set on the wireless setting screen 30.

[0032] Thereafter, the processor 21 performs a transfer process (steps S2 to S4) to transfer untransferred image data from the recording medium 11 to the storage device 22, which is an area different from the recording medium 11, and a deletion process (steps S2 and steps S5 to S6) to delete transferred image data from the recording medium 11 after the grace period has elapsed.

[0033] Specifically, the processor 21 first checks the target data from the recording medium 11 (step S2). Here, image data to be transferred and image data to be deleted are checked. The image data to be transferred is image data recorded on the recording medium 11 that has not yet been transferred to the storage device 22 of the information processing device 20. The image data to be deleted is image data recorded on the recording medium 11 that has already been transferred to the storage device 22 and for which the grace period acquired in step S1 has elapsed since a copy of that image data was transferred from the recording medium 11 to the storage device 22.

[0034] In step S2, the information processing device 20 transmits an instruction to extract the target data to the camera 10. In accordance with the extraction instruction from the information processing device 20, the camera 10 scans the recording medium 11 to extract the target data, and transmits the result to the information processing device 20. The information processing device 20 confirms the target data based on the information received from the camera 10.

[0035] Next, the processor 21 determines whether there is data to be transferred (step S3), and if there is image data to be transferred (step S3 YES), it requests the information processing device 20 to transfer the image data to be transferred (step S4). As a result, the camera 10 that has received the transfer request copies the image data to be transferred and transmits the copy to the information processing device 20, and the information processing device 20 stores the copy of the image data to be transferred in the storage device 22.

[0036] Furthermore, processor 21 determines whether there is data to be deleted (step S5), and if there is image data to be deleted (step S5 YES), requests information processing device 20 to delete the image data to be deleted (step S6). That is, processor 21 performs processing to transmit a deletion request to camera 10, which is an imaging device, to request deletion of transferred image data from recording medium 11. As a result, camera 10, which has received the deletion request, deletes the image data to be deleted from recording medium 11.

[0037] In addition, if the information processing device 20 periodically monitors the presence or absence of image data to be transferred, the process shown in Fig. 4 may be performed periodically while the program 22a is running, not only at the time of startup. Also, the process shown in Fig. 4 may be performed when the user manually instructs the transfer of image data, not only when the automatic transfer function of image data is enabled.

[0038] 4, in addition to the setting process and the deletion process, the processor 21, which is the processing unit, executes a transfer process for transferring untransferred images from the recording medium 11. In particular, by performing the transfer process in synchronization with the deletion process, it is possible to simultaneously extract image data to be transferred and image data to be deleted by a single scan of the recording medium 11. For this reason, it is possible to reduce the time required for the entire process compared to when the transfer process and the deletion process are performed separately and asynchronously.

[0039] Next, an example of automatic deletion performed asynchronously with the transfer of image data will be described with reference to Fig. 5. The process shown in Fig. 5 is performed periodically while the program 22a is running, for example.

[0040] 5 starts, the processor 21 first obtains a grace period from the transfer of image data to automatic deletion (step S11). The process of step S11 is similar to the process of step S1 in FIG.

[0041] Next, the processor 21 checks the target data from the recording medium 11 (step S12). The process of step S12 is similar to the process of step S2 in Fig. 4, except that only the image data to be deleted is checked.

[0042] Thereafter, the processor 21 determines whether there is data to be deleted (step S13), and if there is image data to be deleted (step S13 YES), it requests the information processing device 20 to delete the image data to be deleted (step S14). As a result, the camera 10 that has received the deletion request deletes the image data to be deleted from the recording medium 11.

[0043] In the above, an example has been described in which the process shown in FIG. 5 is performed periodically, but the process shown in FIG. 5 may also be performed when a user manually instructs the deletion of image data whose grace period has elapsed.

[0044] As shown in Fig. 5, the processor 21, which is the processing unit, may perform the deletion process asynchronously with the transfer process. This allows only the necessary processes to be performed at the necessary frequency. Executing the deletion process and the transfer process asynchronously is particularly effective when the frequency at which the deletion process and the transfer process are required differs greatly.

[0045] FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of transfer and deletion of image data from the recording medium 11 caused by the process shown in FIG. 4, and shows an example in which the process of FIG. 4 is performed on a reference date (0th day), 60 days, 90 days, 120 days, and 150 days after the reference date. FIG. 7 is a flowchart of a process for updating the grace period setting. When a user performs an operation to update the grace period, the processor 21 detects the operation (step S101 YES), obtains information on the updated grace period specified by the user (step S102), and updates the grace period setting by performing a process such as rewriting the configuration file (step S103). In this example, a case will be described in which the grace period, which was initially set to 90 days, is changed to 30 days after transfer midway.

[0046] 4 is performed on the reference date (t0) when the untransferred image data D1 is recorded on the recording medium 11, the untransferred image data D1 is copied and the copy is transferred from the recording medium 11 to the storage device 22. Note that the original image data D1 is not deleted from the recording medium 11 on the reference date (t0) because the grace period of 90 days has not yet elapsed since the transfer.

[0047] 4 is performed 60 days (t1) after the reference date, the image data D2 recorded on the recording medium 11 after the reference date but not yet transferred is copied, and the copy is transferred from the recording medium 11 to the storage device 22. Note that the original image data D1 and image data D2 are not deleted from the recording medium 11, because the grace period of 90 days has not elapsed since the transfer of each image data 60 days (t1) after the reference date.

[0048] 4 is performed 90 days (t2) after the reference date, the untransferred image data D3 recorded on the recording medium 11 after 60 days from the reference date is copied, and the copy is transferred from the recording medium 11 to the storage device 22. Also, the original image data D1 is deleted from the recording medium 11 in the process shown in Fig. 4, because the grace period of 90 days has passed since the transfer 90 days (t2) after the reference date. On the other hand, the remaining original image data D2 and image data D3 are not deleted from the recording medium 11, because the grace period of 90 days has not passed since the transfer of each image data 90 days (t2) after the reference date.

[0049] 4 is performed 120 days (t3) after the reference date, the untransferred image data D4 recorded on the recording medium 11 after 90 days from the reference date is copied, and the copy is transferred from the recording medium 11 to the storage device 22. Also, the original image data D2 and image data D3 are deleted from the recording medium 11 in the process shown in Fig. 4, because the grace period of 30 days after updating has passed since the transfer of each image data 120 days (t3) after the reference date. On the other hand, the remaining original image data D4 is not deleted from the recording medium 11, because the grace period of 30 days has not passed since the transfer 120 days (t3) after the reference date.

[0050] 4 is performed 150 days (t4) after the reference date, the untransferred image data D5 recorded on the recording medium 11 after 120 days from the reference date is copied, and the copy is transferred from the recording medium 11 to the storage device 22. Also, the original image data D4 is deleted from the recording medium 11 in the process shown in Fig. 4, because the grace period of 30 days after the update has passed since the transfer 150 days (t4) after the reference date. On the other hand, the remaining original image data D5 is not deleted from the recording medium 11, because the grace period of 30 days has not passed since the transfer 150 days (t4) after the reference date.

[0051] As shown in Fig. 6, the grace period can be updated as appropriate. In the information processing device 20, when the setting of the grace period is updated, the updated grace period is applied not only to the transferred image data that has been copied after the update and the copy has been transferred, but also to the transferred image data that has been copied before the update and the copy has been transferred. In other words, the updated grace period is applied uniformly to the transferred image data regardless of the transfer time. Therefore, when the grace period is updated by the setting process, the processor 21, which is the processing unit, deletes the transferred image data that has not been deleted from the recording medium 11 at the time of the update from the recording medium 11 after the updated grace period has elapsed, which began with the transfer of the transferred image data.

[0052] In this way, the updated grace period is applied to all transferred image data, so that image management processing that reflects the user's intention can be executed quickly. As a result, for example, if the user detects that the free space on the recording medium 11 is running low and sets the grace period to be short, it becomes possible to secure free space relatively quickly. Also, if the user detects that the time required for one image management process is becoming longer and sets the grace period to be short, it becomes possible to shorten the image processing time relatively quickly.

[0053] 6 shows an example in which the grace period is shortened, but the grace period may be lengthened midway. For example, when sufficient free space is available, the grace period may be extended so that the transferred image data recorded on the recording medium 11 can be used as a backup for a long period of time.

[0054] Second embodiment The system and image management device according to this embodiment differ from the system 1 and image management device (information processing device 20) according to the first embodiment in that a confirmation dialog is displayed on the display device 24 when image data is automatically deleted from the recording medium 11, and a final confirmation is made to the user. The components of the system and image management device are similar to those of the first embodiment, and therefore the same components are referred to by the same reference numerals.

[0055] Fig. 8 is a diagram showing a display example of a wireless setting screen according to this embodiment. In the image management device according to this embodiment, a user can set the automatic deletion function on a wireless setting screen 40 shown in Fig. 8 instead of the wireless setting screen 30 shown in Fig. 3A and Fig. 3B.

[0056] The wireless setting screen 40 differs from the wireless setting screen 30 in that the automatic deletion setting area 32 includes a confirmation display setting area 41. The confirmation display setting area 41 is a checkbox for selecting whether or not to display a confirmation dialog when automatically deleting image data from the recording medium 11. The user can check the confirmation display setting area 41 if he or she wishes to make a final confirmation before deleting the transferred image data.

[0057] In addition, like the grace period setting area 33, when “Do not delete” is selected in the automatic deletion setting area 32, the confirmation display setting area 41 is disabled or hidden so that the user cannot operate it.

[0058] Fig. 9 is a flowchart showing an example of processing executed by the information processing device according to this embodiment. Fig. 10A and Fig. 10B are diagrams showing examples of displaying a confirmation dialog according to this embodiment. Below, with reference to Fig. 9 to Fig. 10B, a specific example of image management processing executed by the image management device in a state where the automatic deletion function is enabled and the confirmation dialog display is enabled will be described.

[0059] 9 starts, the processor 21 first obtains a grace period from the transfer of image data to automatic deletion (step S21), and checks the target data from the recording medium 11 (step S22). The processes of steps S21 and S22 are similar to those of steps S1 and S2 in FIG.

[0060] Thereafter, the processor 21 determines whether there is data to be transferred (step S23), and if there is image data to be transferred (step S23 YES), it requests the image manager to transfer the image data to be transferred (step S24). The processes of steps S23 and S24 are the same as those of steps S3 and S4 in FIG.

[0061] Furthermore, processor 21 determines whether there is data to be deleted (step S25), and if there is image data to be deleted (step S25 YES), displays a confirmation dialog on display device 24 (step S26).

[0062] In step S26, the contents of the confirmation dialog may be changed depending on the grace period acquired in step S21. For example, if the grace period is 90 days, the confirmation dialog 50 shown in Fig. 10A may be displayed, and if there is no grace period, that is, if the image data is set to be deleted immediately after image transfer, the confirmation dialog 60 shown in Fig. 10B may be displayed.

[0063] When processor 21 detects an operation on the confirmation dialog (confirmation dialog 50, confirmation dialog 60) and confirms the user's intention to execute deletion (step S27 YES), it requests the image manager to delete the image data to be deleted (step S28). As a result, camera 10 that has received the deletion request deletes the image data to be deleted from recording medium 11.

[0064] When processor 21 detects an operation on the confirmation dialog (confirmation dialog 50, confirmation dialog 60) and confirms the user's intention not to delete (NO in step S27), it ends the process shown in Fig. 9 without performing the deletion process in step S28. As a result, the deletion process is postponed until the next execution of the process shown in Fig. 9.

[0065] As described above, in this embodiment, before deleting the transferred source image data from the recording medium 11, the processor 21 displays a confirmation dialog on the display device 24 to ask the user for final confirmation as to whether or not to delete the data. Therefore, according to the image management device of this embodiment, if the user wishes to postpone the deletion of image data that has been transferred after the grace period has elapsed, the user can postpone the deletion process and manually take necessary measures after the postponement.

[0066] Therefore, when setting the grace period, the user can set a reasonable grace period based on normally anticipated conditions, but in irregular situations where image data must be kept beyond the grace period, the user can deal with the situation individually by postponing the deletion process in the confirmation dialog.

[0067] (Third embodiment) 11 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of a system according to this embodiment. System 2 according to this embodiment includes a camera 10, an information processing device 20, and an information processing device 70. System 2 differs from system 1 in that system 2 transfers untransferred image data recorded on a recording medium 11 of camera 10 to a storage device 71 of information processing device 70 different from information processing device 20, instead of transferring the untransferred image data to information processing device 20 on which an image management application program runs.

[0068] 11, the destination of the image data is not limited to the information processing device on which the image management application program runs, but can be set arbitrarily. In addition, the destination storage device may be changed as appropriate depending on the free space of the destination storage device 71.

[0069] (Fourth embodiment) 12 is a diagram illustrating the configuration of a system according to this embodiment. System 3 according to this embodiment includes information processing device 20 and information processing device 70. System 3 differs from system 2 according to the third embodiment in that system 3 transfers image data from storage device 71 of information processing device 70 to storage device 72 instead of transferring image data from recording medium 11 of camera 10 to storage device 71 of information processing device 70.

[0070] 12, the source of image data transfer is not limited to a recording medium of a photographing device such as the camera 10. The system 3 may be applied to, for example, the transfer and automatic deletion of image data from a server that stores a large amount of image data to another server.

[0071] On the other hand, it is very useful to transfer image data from the recording medium 11 of the camera 10 and delete it after the grace period has elapsed. The capacity of the recording medium 11 of the camera 10 is often smaller than that of the storage device of a general information processing device, and free space is easily limited. By performing an automatic deletion process, it is possible to avoid a situation in which inconveniences due to a lack of capacity occur, even if the capacity of the recording medium 11 is small.

[0072] The above-mentioned embodiment is a specific example shown to facilitate understanding of the invention, and the present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiment, and should be understood as including various modified and alternative forms of the above-mentioned embodiment. For example, it will be understood that the above-mentioned embodiment can be embodied by modifying the components within the scope of the gist of the embodiment. It will also be understood that various embodiments can be implemented by appropriately combining multiple components disclosed in the above-mentioned embodiment. Furthermore, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various embodiments can be implemented by deleting some components from all the components shown in the embodiment, or by adding some components to the components shown in the embodiment. That is, the above-mentioned image management device, image management method, and program can be variously modified and changed within the scope of the claims.

[0073] For example, in the above-described embodiment, an example has been shown in which the information processing device 20 inquires of the camera 10 about the presence or absence of target data, and the information processing device 20 recognizes the presence of the target data and then transmits a request for image transfer and image deletion to the information processing device 20. However, the request for image transfer and image deletion from the information processing device 20 to the camera 10 does not necessarily have to be transmitted after recognizing the presence of the target data. For example, the camera 10 that receives the request for image transfer and image deletion from the information processing device 20 may check the presence or absence of target data, and if the target data is present, may execute image transfer and image deletion, and notify the information processing device 20 of the result.

[0074] In the above-described embodiment, an example was shown in which the user explicitly sets the grace period, but the grace period may be automatically set by the information processing device 20 according to the available capacity, for example, by setting it to a long grace period when the available capacity of the recording medium 11 is large and setting it to a short grace period when the available capacity of the recording medium 11 is small. Furthermore, instead of leaving the setting of the grace period entirely up to either the information processing device 20 or the user, the user and the information processing device 20 may set the grace period in cooperation. For example, the user may set the available capacity (or a percentage thereof) that should be secured, and the information processing device 20 may estimate the grace period during which the available capacity set by the user will be secured based on past performance, etc., and set the estimated grace period.

[0075] Although not specifically mentioned in the above embodiment, the determination of whether the grace period has elapsed may be based on midnight after the specified number of days until automatic deletion has elapsed, and a deletion instruction may be issued if there is data to be deleted after midnight. Also, the determination of whether the grace period has elapsed may be based on dividing the time elapsed from the time the transfer is completed by 24 to determine the number of days elapsed, and whether the number of days elapsed exceeds the specified number of days, or a deletion instruction may be issued if there is data to be deleted at any timing. For example, the information processing device 20 may detect that the power supply of the camera 10 is ON, and then issue a deletion instruction to the camera 10. [Explanation of symbols]

[0076] 1, 2, 3 System 10. Camera 11 Recording media 20, 70 Information processing device 21 Processors 22, 71, 72 storage device 22a Program 22b Image data 23 Input Devices 24 Display device 25 Communication Equipment 30, 40 Wireless setting screen 31 Mode Selection Area 32 Automatic deletion setting area 33 Grace period setting area 41 Confirmation display setting area 50, 60 Confirmation dialog

Claims

1. Set a grace period between image transfer and image deletion according to user instructions, issuing an instruction to delete the transferred image data, which has been copied and transferred from a first storage area to a second storage area different from the first storage area, from the first storage area after the grace period has elapsed since the start of the transfer; Equipped with a processing section 1. An image management device comprising:

2. 2. The image management device according to claim 1, The processing unit sets the grace period from among a plurality of options including immediately after image transfer and a certain period after image transfer based on a user operation.

1. An image management device comprising:

3. 3. The image management device according to claim 1, When the grace period is updated by setting the grace period, the processing unit applies the updated grace period to all of the transferred image data that has not been deleted from the first storage area at the time of the update.

1. An image management device comprising:

4. 4. The image management device according to claim 3, The processing unit includes: Obtaining instructions for renewal of said grace period; When the grace period is updated in response to the instruction for updating, the transferred image data that has not been deleted from the first storage area at the time of the update is deleted from the first storage area after the grace period after updating that started with the transfer of the image data has elapsed.

1. An image management device comprising:

5. 3. The image management device according to claim 1, The processing unit further copies the image data that has not been transferred to the second storage area and transfers the copy from the first storage area.

1. An image management device comprising:

6. 3. The image management device according to claim 1, the image management device is communicably connected to a photographing device having the first storage area; The processing unit transmits a request to the photographing device to delete the image data that has already been transferred from the first storage area.

1. An image management device comprising:

7. 3. The image management device according to claim 1, The processing unit includes: when the power source of the photographing device that is the transfer source of the image data is turned on, instructing the deletion of the transferred image data for which the grace period has elapsed; 1. An image management device comprising:

8. Set a grace period between image transfer and image deletion, The image data that has been copied and transferred from a first storage area to a second storage area different from the first storage area is deleted from the first storage area after the grace period from the start of the transfer has elapsed. The computer executes the process 13. An image management method comprising:

9. Set a grace period between image transfer and image deletion according to user instructions, An instruction is given to delete the transferred image data, which has been copied and transferred from a first storage area to a second storage area different from the first storage area, from the first storage area after the grace period from the start of the transfer has elapsed. Making a computer carry out a process A program characterized by:

Images