Controller, control method, and program

Abstract

To provide a technique allowing a user to grasp, before turning off a digital camera, the possibility that the digital camera cannot be remotely turned on by WOL.SOLUTION: A controller controls an external apparatus, and the controller comprises: acquisition means that acquires return propriety information indicating whether the external apparatus can return from a power saving state to a start-up state by using a WOL packet; and generation means that, when a transition operation is performed to make a transition of the external apparatus from the start-up state to the power saving state by using the WOL packet, according to the return propriety information acquired from the external apparatus indicating that the external apparatus cannot return to the start-up state, generates notification information indicating that the external apparatus cannot return to the start-up state.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a control device, a control method, and a program. [Background technology]

[0002] In recent years, at sporting events such as the Olympics, photographers have been capturing a wide variety of competitive scenes, and many of these photos have been distributed in the media. Photographing a variety of scenes requires multiple photographers, which in turn incurs labor costs.

[0003] To address this issue, a system is known in which a computer connected to a plurality of cameras via a network controls each camera (Patent Document 1).

[0004] By using such a system, it is possible to reduce the number of photographers. Furthermore, reducing the number of photographers reduces costs and enables a large number of photographs to be taken with a variety of compositions. Note that Nikon's NX Field (registered trademark) and Sony's Remote Camera Tool (registered trademark) can be used as remote photography systems that can remotely control photography with multiple digital cameras. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2023-9896 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] In such a remote photography system, when shooting a sporting event with various compositions, for example, in a track and field event, multiple cameras may be installed near the finish line to take pictures. In such cases, the remotely installed cameras may remain installed for long periods of time depending on the schedules of the athletes who are the subjects of the photography, such as by continuing remote photography for long periods of time or by waiting for long periods of time.

[0007] Depending on the camera's installation position, it may be necessary to use a rain cover, or it may be necessary to avoid situations where the camera body heats up due to direct sunlight outdoors. Furthermore, there may be times when it is necessary to operate the camera using its built-in battery without an external power source. Therefore, it is necessary to turn the camera's power off remotely to prevent the camera body from heating up and battery consumption.

[0008] Therefore, there are cases where a remote photography control application (hereafter referred to as "multi-remote app") that runs on a control device controls multiple digital cameras via a network from the control device. By using a multi-remote app, it becomes possible to remotely control the power supply of cameras by remotely issuing a power-off (sleep) command and power-on control using Wake On Lan (hereafter referred to as "WOL").

[0009] However, when the control device turns on the power of the digital camera, problems can arise, such as the digital camera not being able to be started due to the network function of the communication unit of the digital camera or the network configuration. In such a situation, if the control device remotely turns off the power of the digital camera, the digital camera cannot be started remotely, and there is a possibility that the captured scene will be missed. [Means for solving the problem]

[0010] In order to achieve the above object, according to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a control device for controlling an external device, comprising: an acquisition means for acquiring recovery possibility information indicating whether the external device can return from a power-saving state to an active state using a WOL packet; and a generation means for generating notification information indicating that the external device cannot return to the active state when a transition operation is performed to transition the external device from the active state to the power-saving state using the WOL packet, in response to the recovery possibility information acquired from the external device indicating that the external device cannot return to the active state. [Effects of the Invention]

[0011] According to the present invention, it is possible to know before turning off the power of the digital camera that there is a possibility that the digital camera may fall into a situation where it cannot be remotely turned on using WOL. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0012] [Figure 1] 1 is a hardware configuration diagram showing the configuration of a digital camera 100. FIG. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a hardware configuration diagram showing the configuration of a control device 200. [Figure 3] 1 is a system configuration diagram showing an example of a network connection and a configuration for remote control in which a plurality of digital cameras 100 and a control device 200 are connected to the control device 200 via a network device 300. [Figure 4] This figure shows an example of a track and field event, illustrating a situation where multi-remote photography by a photographer is applied, and a network configuration for multi-remote photography from a remote location. [Figure 5] 10 shows an example of a screen displayed on the display unit 206 of the control device 200 when two digital cameras 100 are connected to the control device 200 and the control device 200 controls the shooting of the plurality of digital cameras 100. [Figure 6]10 is a flow diagram showing the process in which the control device 200 controls the focus drive of each individual digital camera 100 during multi-remote photography for the multiple digital cameras 100 connected thereto. [Figure 7] 1 is a flow diagram showing the processing that the digital camera 100 performs up to remote photographing upon receiving a command from the connected control device 200. FIG. [Figure 8] 10 is an example of a top screen showing an entrance to an application for performing camera registration, group control settings, and function settings for each camera in the control device 200. [Figure 9] 10 shows an example of a screen for the control device 200 to operate and set the power control of the digital camera 100, and a configuration example of a packet to be transmitted to the digital camera 100 when a power control command is issued. [Figure 10] 10 is a sequence diagram of the power control process in which the control device 200 sets up WOL after establishing a connection with the digital camera 100, then turns the power off, turns the power on, and reconnects. [Figure 11] This is a flow diagram showing the process in which, when the control device 200 turns off the power of the digital camera 100, it determines the network status on the digital camera 100 side, determines a situation in which the power of the digital camera 100 cannot be turned on, and displays a warning to the user of the control device 200. [Figure 12] 10 shows an example of a multi-remote shooting screen of a multi-remote application running on the control device 200 and an error message displayed on the display unit 106 of the digital camera 100 to the user when an error occurs in the digital camera 100 during multi-remote shooting. [Figure 13] 10 is an example of a screen for the control device 200 to perform power control operations and settings and reset settings for the digital camera 100 when the reset function for the digital camera 100 is enabled. [Figure 14] 10 is a sequence diagram of reset control in which the control device 200 performs WOL reset setting on the digital camera 100 after establishing connection, performs reset processing after an error occurs in the digital camera 100, and then reconnects. [Figure 15] This is a flow diagram showing the process in which, when the control device 200 sets up a WOL reset for the digital camera 100, it determines the network status on the digital camera 100 side, determines a situation in which the digital camera 100 cannot be reset and restarted, and displays a warning to the user of the control device 200. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0013] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0014] The embodiment described below is an example of a means for realizing the present invention, and may be appropriately modified or changed depending on the configuration of the device to which the present invention is applied and various conditions. In addition, each embodiment may be appropriately combined.

[0015] [First embodiment] In the first embodiment, it is assumed that the control device 200 remotely transmits a communication command to turn off the power to the digital camera 100 connected to the control device 200 for multi-remote photography. When turning off the power to the digital camera 100, the control device 200 according to this embodiment determines the settings and conditions that prevent the digital camera 100 from being turned on (i.e., from returning to an active state). Here, an example in which the control device 200 displays a warning and message to the user and an example in which the control device 200 transmits a WOL packet 930 and turns on the power to the digital camera 100 will be described.

[0016] <Configuration of Digital Camera 100> 1A is a hardware configuration diagram showing an example of the configuration of a digital camera 100, which is an example of a communication device according to this embodiment. Note that, although a digital camera is described here as an example of a communication device, the communication device is not limited to this. For example, the communication device may be an information processing device such as a portable media player, a so-called tablet device, or a personal computer.

[0017] The control unit 101 controls each unit of the digital camera 100 in accordance with input signals and programs described below. Note that instead of the control unit 101 controlling the entire device, the entire device may be controlled by having multiple pieces of hardware share the processing.

[0018] The imaging unit 102 is composed of, for example, an optical lens unit, an optical system that controls the aperture, zoom, focus, etc., and an imaging element that converts light (image) introduced through the optical lens unit into an electrical video signal. A CMOS (Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor) or a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) is generally used as the imaging element. Under the control of the control unit 101, the imaging unit 102 converts subject light focused by a lens included in the imaging unit 102 into an electrical signal using the imaging element, performs noise reduction processing, and outputs the digital data as image data. In the digital camera 100 of this embodiment, image data is recorded on the recording medium 110 in accordance with the DCF (Design Rule for Camera File System) standard.

[0019] The nonvolatile memory 103 is an electrically erasable and recordable nonvolatile memory, and stores programs to be executed by the control unit 101, which will be described later.

[0020] The work memory 104 is used as a buffer memory for temporarily storing image data captured by the image capturing unit 102, as an image display memory for the display unit 106, as a work area for the control unit 101, and the like.

[0021] The operation unit 105 is used by the user to receive instructions for the digital camera 100 from the user. The operation unit 105 includes, for example, a power button used by the user to turn the power of the digital camera 100 on / off, a release switch used to instruct shooting, and a playback button used to instruct image data playback. The operation unit 105 also includes operation members such as a dedicated connection button for starting communication with an external device via the communication unit 111 (described later). The operation unit 105 also includes a touch panel formed on the display unit 106 (described later). The release switch includes SW1 and SW2. When the release switch is pressed halfway, SW1 turns ON. This allows the unit to receive instructions for preparing for shooting, such as AF (autofocus) processing, AE (auto exposure) processing, AWB (auto white balance) processing, and EF (pre-flash) processing. When the release switch is pressed fully, SW2 turns ON. This allows the unit to receive instructions for shooting.

[0022] The display unit 106 displays the viewfinder image when taking a picture, displays captured image data, and displays text for interactive operation. The display unit 106 does not necessarily have to be built into the digital camera 100. The digital camera 100 can be connected to an internal or external display unit 106, and it is sufficient that the digital camera 100 has at least a display control function for controlling the display on the display unit 106.

[0023] The RTC 107 manages the clock. The time may be set by the user using the operation unit 105, or may be set by acquiring time information via the communication unit 111, or may be set by capturing the clock setting using a radio-controlled clock. It is sufficient if the time can be managed.

[0024] The recording medium 110 can record image data output from the imaging unit 102. The recording medium 110 may be configured to be detachable from the digital camera 100, or may be built into the digital camera 100. In other words, the digital camera 100 only needs to have a means for accessing the recording medium 110.

[0025] The communication unit 111 is an interface for connecting to an external device. The digital camera 100 of this embodiment can exchange data with the external device via the communication unit 111. For example, image data generated by the imaging unit 102 can be transmitted to the external device via the communication unit 111. In this embodiment, the communication unit 111 includes an interface for communicating with the external device via a so-called wireless LAN in accordance with the IEEE802.11 standard. The control unit 101 realizes wireless communication with the external device by controlling the communication unit 111. The communication method is not limited to wireless LAN, and includes, for example, an infrared communication method. The communication unit 111 is an example of a first wireless communication means.

[0026] The communication unit 112 is an interface for connecting to an external device. The digital camera 100 of this embodiment can exchange data with an external device via the communication unit 112. For example, image data generated by the imaging unit 102 can be transmitted to the external device via the communication unit 112. In this embodiment, the communication unit 112 includes an interface for communicating with the external device via Bluetooth (registered trademark) in accordance with the IEEE 802.15.1 standard. The control unit 101 realizes wireless communication with the external device by controlling the communication unit 112. The communication method is not limited to Bluetooth, and includes, for example, a wireless LAN known as the IEEE 802.11 standard or an infrared communication method. The communication unit 112 is an example of a first wireless communication means.

[0027] The communication unit 113 is an interface for connecting to an external device. The digital camera 100 of this embodiment can exchange data with an external device via the communication unit 112. For example, image data generated by the imaging unit 102 can be transmitted to the external device via the communication unit 112. In this embodiment, the communication unit 113 includes an interface for communicating with the external device via a wired LAN (Ethernet) in accordance with the IEEE802.3 standard. The control unit 101 realizes communication with the external device by controlling the communication unit 112. The communication method is not limited to a wired LAN, and includes, for example, a USB communication method. The communication unit 113 is also an example of a first wired communication means.

[0028] The communication unit 112 of the digital camera 100 in this embodiment has either a peripheral mode or a central mode. By operating the communication unit 112 in the peripheral mode, the digital camera 100 in this embodiment can operate as a Bluetooth client device. When the digital camera 100 operates as a client device, it can communicate by connecting to an external device in central mode. For authentication of the external device to be connected, pairing is performed in advance, and unique information of the external device to be connected is stored in the non-volatile memory 103. Furthermore, even if the power switch is turned off, the digital camera 100 can make calls as long as power is supplied to the Bluetooth module.

[0029] The close proximity wireless communication unit 114 is composed of, for example, an antenna for wireless communication, a modulation / demodulation circuit for processing wireless signals, and a communication controller. The close proximity wireless communication unit 114 outputs modulated wireless signals from the antenna and demodulates wireless signals received by the antenna. This realizes non-contact close proximity communication in accordance with the ISO / IEC 18092 standard (NFC: Near Field Communication). The close proximity wireless communication unit 114 of this embodiment is disposed on the side of the digital camera 100.

[0030] The control device 200, which will be described later, is connected by initiating communication by bringing the close proximity wireless communication units 114 and 214 into close proximity to each other. Note that when connecting to the control device 200 using the close proximity wireless communication unit 114, it is not necessary to bring the close proximity wireless communication units 114 and 214 into contact with each other. Since the close proximity wireless communication units 114 and 214 can communicate even if they are apart by a certain distance, in order to connect the devices to each other, it is sufficient to bring them into close proximity to a range where close proximity wireless communication is possible. In the following description, bringing them into close proximity to a range where close proximity wireless communication is possible is also referred to as bringing them into close proximity.

[0031] Next, the appearance of the digital camera 100 will be described. FIGS. 1(b) and 1(c) are diagrams showing an example of the appearance of the digital camera 100. The release switch 105a, playback button 105b, directional keys 105c, and touch panel 105d are operation members included in the operation unit 105. The display unit 106 displays an image captured by the imaging unit 102. The digital camera 100 of this embodiment also has an antenna portion of a power supply unit 112 on the side of the camera housing. Power can be supplied by bringing these power supply units 112 close to each other at a certain distance. This allows power to be supplied contactlessly without using a cable or the like, and also makes it possible to control when power supply starts and stops.

[0032] This concludes the description of the digital camera 100.

[0033] <Power control of digital cameras via LAN> When the communication unit 113 of the digital camera 100 is connected to a wired LAN, the control unit 101 controls the wired LAN communication unit settings of the communication unit 113. When the digital camera 100 is powered off, the control unit 101 receives a LAN communication command from the external control device 200 and sets whether or not to power on the digital camera 100.

[0034] For example, when the digital camera 100 is in a power-off state and power startup is enabled, the digital camera 100 receives a WOL packet 930 transmitted by UDP broadcast communication shown in Fig. 9(d) from the external control device 200. As a result, the communication unit 113, which is a wired LAN, inputs an interrupt signal to the control unit 101 of the digital camera 100, and the power of the digital camera 100 is started.

[0035] Furthermore, when an external control device 200 and the digital camera 100 have established a connection by TCP / IP communication, if the digital camera 100 receives a power-off command from the external control device 200, the digital camera 100 turns its own power off.

[0036] <Internal configuration of the control device 200> 2 is a hardware configuration diagram showing an example of the configuration of a control device 200, which is an example of an information processing device according to this embodiment. Note that, although a control device is described here as an example of an information processing device, the information processing device is not limited to this. For example, the information processing device may be a digital camera with a wireless function, a tablet device, a personal computer, or the like.

[0037] The control unit 201 controls each unit of the control device 200 in accordance with input signals and programs described below. Note that instead of the control unit 201 controlling the entire device, the entire device may be controlled by multiple pieces of hardware sharing the processing.

[0038] The nonvolatile memory 203 is an electrically erasable and recordable nonvolatile memory. The nonvolatile memory 203 stores an OS (operating system), which is basic software executed by the control unit 201, and applications that work with the OS to realize applied functions. In this embodiment, the nonvolatile memory 203 also stores an application (hereinafter referred to as an app) for communicating with the digital camera 100.

[0039] The work memory 204 is used as an image display memory for the display unit 206, a work area for the control unit 201, and the like.

[0040] The operation unit 205 is used to receive instructions from the user for the control device 200. The operation unit 205 includes, for example, a power button that the user uses to instruct the control device 200 to power on / off, an operation member that sets the RTC 207, and an operation member such as a touch panel formed on the display unit 206.

[0041] The display unit 206 displays image data, characters for interactive operation, etc. The display unit 206 does not necessarily have to be included in the control device 200. The control device 200 only needs to be able to connect to the display unit 206 and have at least a display control function for controlling the display on the display unit 206.

[0042] The RTC 207 performs clock management. The time may be set by the user using the operation unit 205, or may be set by acquiring time information via the communication unit 211, the communication unit 212, or the public network connection unit 213, or may be set by acquiring clock information captured by a radio-controlled clock. Any device capable of managing time may be used. The RTC 207 may also be capable of obtaining the time from a mechanical mechanism such as an analog clock using a detection mechanism (in this case, the RTC 207 is considered to include a detection mechanism from the analog clock).

[0043] The recording medium 210 can record image data transferred from the digital camera 100 to the control unit 201 via the communication unit 211. The recording medium 210 may be configured to be detachable from the control device 200, or may be built into the control device 200. In other words, the control device 200 only needs to have at least a means for accessing the recording medium 210.

[0044] The communication unit 211 is an interface for connecting to an external device. The control device 200 of this embodiment can exchange data with the external device via the communication unit 211. In this embodiment, the communication unit 211 is an antenna, and the control unit 201 can connect to the digital camera 100 via the antenna. In this embodiment, the communication unit 211 includes an interface for communicating with the external device via a so-called wireless LAN in accordance with the IEEE802.11 standard. The control unit 201 realizes wireless communication with the external device by controlling the communication unit 211. The communication method is not limited to wireless LAN, and includes, for example, an infrared communication method. The communication unit 211 is an example of a first wireless communication means.

[0045] The communication unit 212 is an interface for connecting to an external device. The control device 200 of this embodiment can exchange data with the external device via the communication unit 212. For example, image data generated by the digital camera 100 can be received via the communication unit 212. In this embodiment, the communication unit 212 includes an interface for communicating with the external device via Bluetooth (registered trademark) in accordance with the IEEE802.15.1 standard. The control unit 201 realizes wireless communication with the external device by controlling the communication unit 212. The communication method is not limited to Bluetooth, and includes, for example, a wireless LAN known as the IEEE802.11 standard or an infrared communication method. The communication unit 212 is also an example of a first wireless communication means.

[0046] The communication unit 213 is an interface for connecting to an external device. The digital camera 100 of this embodiment can exchange data with an external device via the communication unit 112. For example, the digital camera 100 can transmit image data generated by the imaging unit 102 to the external device via the communication unit 112. In this embodiment, the communication unit 113 includes an interface for communicating with the external device via a wired LAN (Ethernet) in accordance with the IEEE802.3 standard. The control unit 101 realizes communication with the external device by controlling the communication unit 112. The communication method is not limited to a wired LAN, and includes, for example, a USB communication method. The communication unit 213 is an example of a first wired communication means.

[0047] The communication unit 212 of the control device 200 in this embodiment has either a peripheral mode or a central mode. By operating the communication unit 212 in the central mode, the control device 200 in this embodiment can operate as a Bluetooth server device. When the control device 200 operates as a server device, it can communicate by connecting to an external device in peripheral mode. For authentication of the external device to be connected, pairing is performed in advance, and unique information of the external device to be connected is stored in the non-volatile memory 103.

[0048] The close proximity wireless communication unit 214 is composed of, for example, an antenna for wireless communication, a modulation / demodulation circuit for processing wireless signals, and a communication controller. The close proximity wireless communication unit 214 outputs modulated wireless signals from the antenna and demodulates wireless signals received by the antenna. This realizes non-contact close proximity communication in accordance with the ISO / IEC 18092 standard (so-called NFC: Near Field Communication). The close proximity wireless communication unit 214 of this embodiment is disposed on the side of the digital camera 100.

[0049] <System configuration diagram> Next, a system configuration diagram according to the embodiment will be described.

[0050] FIG. 3(a) is a diagram showing the configuration of a system including a plurality of digital cameras 100 and a control device 200, in which the control device 200 and the plurality of digital cameras 100 are connected via a network device 300 and remotely controlled.

[0051] The digital camera 100 is mounted on a tripod 303 or the like and set up at each shooting position. In this embodiment, the digital camera 100 is set up on a tripod 303, but it may also be set up on a remote platform that allows remote control of pan, tilt and zoom.

[0052] The following are examples of connection modes for communication between the digital camera 100 and the control device 200. For example, the digital camera 100 may communicate with the control device 200 via the communication unit 112 using wireless communication by radio waves 302, relaying the communication through the network device 300. Alternatively, the digital camera 100 may communicate with the control device 200 via the communication unit 113 using a wired LAN cable 301 and the network device 300.

[0053] The control device 200 may also communicate with the digital camera 100 via the communication unit 212, relaying the communication through the network device 300 by wireless communication using radio waves 302. The control device 200 may also communicate with the digital camera 200 via the network device 300 over a wired LAN via the communication unit 213.

[0054] Although this embodiment shows an example in which communication is performed via the network device 300, the digital camera 100 and the control device 200 may be directly connected.

[0055] As shown in FIG. 3, when the control device 200 is capable of communicating with the multiple installed digital cameras 100, the control device 200 can obtain the setting information of each digital camera 100 and issue commands to change the settings of each digital camera 100.

[0056] Furthermore, a command to take a photograph and an accompanying command to drive or not drive the focus can be issued, and photographing instructions can be given remotely.

[0057] 3(b), network device 300 may be connected to communication path 313 in multiple stages, such as network device 311 and network device 312, via network device 310, which serves as a hub, to perform data communication. This enables the communication distance to be extended, making it possible to configure a network system that connects remote locations. Note that the network used for communication path 313 may be a wired LAN cable 301, wireless radio waves 302, USB cable, or the like.

[0058] <Multi-remote filming at track events> Next, in this embodiment, examples of subject composition and shooting conditions related to focus settings during shooting are shown when shooting is controlled using multiple digital cameras 100 installed in a sports stadium 410 (hereinafter referred to as "multi-remote shooting"). Furthermore, a system configuration and installation example of the digital cameras 100, control device 200, and network device 300 in multi-remote shooting is shown.

[0059] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a network configuration for remotely controlling the digital cameras 100 and a method for installing photographers and multiple digital cameras 100 in multi-remote photography, using photography of track and field events as an example.

[0060] As shown in Figure 4(a), multiple digital cameras 100 are installed near a finish line 404 of an athletics track 402 in a sports stadium 410, including a first digital camera 112 and a second digital camera 113. In addition, a photography area 403 is provided where a photographer can remotely take multiple remote photographs.

[0061] When photographing a goal scene of subject 401, the subject 401 is photographed from multiple angles so as not to miss the decisive moment. For example, first digital camera 112 and second digital camera 113 are placed on either side of goal 404, as shown in FIG. 4(b), so as to photograph as many players as possible.

[0062] The first digital camera 112 is connected to the network device 300 via a wired LAN. The second digital camera 113 is located inside the track 402, and as the subject 401 is traveling on the track, the second digital camera 113 cannot use a wired LAN connection via the wired LAN cable 301 with the network device 300, which would obstruct the subject's traveling. Therefore, the second digital camera 113 is connected to the network device 300 via a wireless LAN, and captures images via wireless radio waves 302.

[0063] Furthermore, with regard to power supply to the digital cameras 100, the first digital camera 112 is installed outside the track 402, so it is assumed that power will be supplied from an external power supply device using an AC adapter and a DC coupler. On the other hand, the second digital camera 113 is installed inside the track 402, so it is assumed that power will be supplied from a battery.

[0064] 4(c), a photographing area 403 is set up at a position away from the competition area of ​​an athletics track 402. In the example shown in FIG. 4(c), a photographer 420 remotely controls the photographing of the first digital camera 112 and the second digital camera 113 by operating the control device 200, and photographs the subject 401. The photographer 420 may take photographs by determining the timing of photographing while checking the competition of the subject 401, or may take photographs while viewing the remote live view image from the digital camera 100 displayed on the control device 200.

[0065] 4(c) may also be connected to a network outside the stadium. As shown in FIG. 4(d), a press center 432 may be connected to the outside of the sports stadium 410 via a network device 430, and a photography area 403 similar to that of the sports stadium 410 may be set up within the press center 432. In this case, photography by the first digital camera 112 and the second digital camera 113 in the sports stadium 410 can be controlled from the press center 432 via a communication network 431.

[0066] The network device 430 may be a network device such as a router, an L3 switch, or a repeater. Data communication between different locations may be enabled using a major network infrastructure, and the locations may be interconnected via the Internet or a dedicated wide area network (WAN). The communication network 431 between the locations may be connected using a virtual private network (VPN).

[0067] While the competition is underway, it may be difficult for the photographer to approach the digital camera 100 set up in the competition area and operate the camera to change settings or adjust the composition without disturbing the competitors.

[0068] Therefore, in case it rains during the competition and the digital camera 100 gets wet and breaks down, a rain cover is placed over the digital camera 100 to prevent rain from getting in.

[0069] Furthermore, competition schedules may have long gaps between competitions, resulting in long waiting times.

[0070] In the above-described multi-remote photography of track events using a plurality of digital cameras 100, two problems can arise.

[0071] First, when the digital camera 100 is used for long periods of continuous shooting, the rain cover is tightly closed, and the body of the digital camera 100 is exposed to direct sunlight, the digital camera 100 generates heat, and the body temperature rises and reaches a critical temperature, which may interfere with shooting.

[0072] Second, battery power supply can cause the shooting to be interrupted midway due to a dead battery. In this case, depending on the competition schedule, it is possible that the digital camera 100 may not be accessible due to battery replacement.

[0073] Therefore, to address the above-mentioned issues, it may be desirable to be able to frequently turn off the camera remotely when not taking pictures.

[0074] Furthermore, in order to address the above-mentioned problem, it is desirable to be able to remotely turn on the power of the digital camera 100 and start taking pictures when the competition resumes.

[0075] Next, the multi-remote photography control proposed in this proposal will be described.

[0076] <Multi-remote shooting control screen> Two digital cameras 100 are connected to the control device 200, and the control device 200 starts a digital camera control application (multi-remote app) that runs on the control device 200. Fig. 5 shows a screen configuration for controlling photography of multiple digital cameras 100, displayed on the display unit 206 of the control device 200.

[0077] 5(a) is an example of a multi-remote photography screen 500. The multi-remote photography screen 500 is composed of individual camera control members 501 and 502 and a multi-camera control member 503 (hereinafter, control of multiple cameras will be referred to as "multi-camera control").

[0078] The individual camera control member 501 is a control member that controls individual digital cameras 100 and the connected control device 200 to issue shooting-related settings, focus commands, shooting, and the like. The individual camera control member 502 is a control member that controls a second digital camera 100 connected to the control device 200. The multi-camera control member 503 is a control member that controls multiple digital cameras 100 at once. The individual camera control member 501 and the second individual camera control member 502 have the same functions. Furthermore, when connection settings for a third or subsequent digital camera 100 are registered in the control device 200, the individual camera control member 501 is added to the multi-remote shooting screen 500 as the third camera.

[0079] <Configuration of individual camera control components> FIG. 5( b ) shows the configuration of the individual camera control member 501 .

[0080] The individual camera control component 510 includes an operation component 510 for controlling the connection status with the digital camera 100, a display component 511 for indicating the power status and recording status of the digital camera 100, and a name display component 512 for identifying the individual camera. The individual camera control component 510 also includes a component 513 for switching between auto and manual focus status display and focus setting, and a display component 514 for indicating the network address of the digital camera 100. The individual camera control component 510 also includes a setting component 515 for making various settings for individual camera control, and a group of components 516 for displaying and changing the shooting settings of the digital camera 100. The individual camera control component 510 also includes a component 517 for remotely controlling shooting of the individual digital camera 100 (hereinafter referred to as "remote shooting"). The individual camera control component 510 also includes a display component 518 for indicating the number of remaining shots and the number of shots taken by the digital camera 100, and a component 519 for controlling the live view display of the digital camera 100. Furthermore, the individual camera control member 510 includes a remote live display operation member 520 and a display member 521 that indicates the autofocus state.

[0081] The photographer checks the display and operation member 513 of the individual camera control member 501 shown in FIG. 5(b) to display the focus status (auto or manual), switches the focus setting, and performs remote shooting.

[0082] The display form of the display operation member for focus setting in remote photography shown in this embodiment is one example, and any form may be used as long as the setting state is conveyed to the user.

[0083] <Configuration of multi-camera control component> FIG. 5( c ) shows the configuration of the multi-camera control member 503 .

[0084] The multi-camera control member 503 is composed of members that issue commands to multiple digital cameras 100 at once. Specifically, the multi-camera control member 503 includes an operation member 531 that controls the setting of shooting parameters at once, an operation member 532 that issues a multi-remote shooting command, and an operation member 533 that selects a group when issuing a multi-remote shooting command. The multi-camera control member 503 also includes an operation member 535 that issues an autofocus command to multiple digital cameras 100 at once, and a display operation member 534 that shows the setting status of autofocus and fixed focus when a multi-remote shooting command is issued.

[0085] The display form of the display operation member for focus setting in multi-remote photography shown in this embodiment is one example, and any form may be used as long as the setting state is conveyed to the user.

[0086] <Flowchart of multi-remote photography by the control device 200> Next, a flowchart of the process in which the control device 200 controls the focus drive of each individual digital camera 100 when performing multi-remote photography for multiple digital cameras 100 in this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

[0087] The flowchart in FIG. 6(a) shows the flow from connecting the control device 200 to a plurality of digital cameras 100 to performing multiple remote photography until completion.

[0088] The process begins with the controller 200 starting up.

[0089] In step S600, the control unit 201 registers the connection settings of the multiple digital cameras 100 to be connected to the control device 200, and the process proceeds to step S601.

[0090] In step S601, the control unit 201 performs detection processing for the digital camera 100 and determines whether or not the digital camera 100 has been detected. If detected, the process proceeds to step S602; if not detected, step S601 is repeated.

[0091] In step S602, the control unit 201 determines whether a connection process has been performed by the user. If it is determined that a connection request has been made, the control unit 201 proceeds to step S603; if it is determined that a connection request has not been made, the control unit 201 repeats step S602.

[0092] In step S603, the control unit 201 performs connection processing with the detected digital camera 100 to establish a connection with the digital camera 100, and the process proceeds to step S604.

[0093] In step S604, the control unit 201 determines whether or not there are no more digital cameras 100 to be connected than the second one registered for connection in step S600 and whether or not multi-remote photographing can be started. If multi-remote photographing can be started, the process proceeds to step S605, and if it is determined that there are still connections to multiple digital cameras 100, the process returns to step S601. In step S605, the control unit 201 performs the multi-remote photographing process shown in FIG. 6(b), and then proceeds to step S606.

[0094] In step S606, if the control unit 201 determines that the connections with the multiple digital cameras 100 have been terminated and that the user's multi-remote photography has been completed, the flow ends. If not, the flow returns to step S605.

[0095] The flowchart in FIG. 6(b) shows the flow of the multi-remote photographing process that the control device 200 performs on multiple digital cameras 100.

[0096] The process starts when the control device 200 establishes connections with multiple digital cameras 100. In step S610, the control unit 201 displays the multi-remote shooting screen shown in Fig. 5(a) on the display unit 206, and the process proceeds to step S611.

[0097] In step S611, the control unit 201 determines whether or not the user has made a request for multiple remote photography for multiple digital cameras 100. If it is determined that a request for multiple remote photography has been made, the process proceeds to step S612; if no request for multiple remote photography has been made, step S611 is repeated.

[0098] In step S612, the control unit 201 checks whether or not the registered digital camera 100 is currently connected. If it is currently connected, the process proceeds to step S613, and if it is determined that it is currently disconnected, the multi-remote photography process ends.

[0099] In step S613, the control unit 201 checks which of the multiple connected digital cameras 100 belong to the group that will be the subject of photography, or which digital cameras 100 are in a state where remote photography is possible.The control unit 201 then determines the digital camera 100 that will be the subject of remote photography, and proceeds to step S614.

[0100] In step S614, the control unit 201 performs multi-remote photographing processing, and the process proceeds to step S615.

[0101] In step S615, the control unit 201 determines whether the multi-remote shooting command to the digital camera 100 of the shooting target determined in step S613 has been completed, and if completed, ends the multi-remote shooting, and if not completed, returns to step S614.

[0102] <Flowchart of the photographing process of the digital camera 100> FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating the process in the proposed embodiment, in which the digital camera 100 receives a command from the connected control device 200 and performs remote photography.

[0103] FIG. 7 starts with the digital camera 100 placed in the shooting position.

[0104] In step S700, for example, the user turns on the power of the digital camera 100, and the digital camera 100 starts up and is ready to start taking pictures, and the process proceeds to step S701.

[0105] In step S701, when the control unit 101 receives a remote shooting command from the control device 200, it prepares the lens attached to the digital camera 100 so that shooting can be performed using either autofocus drive or fixed focus, and then proceeds to step S702.

[0106] In step S702, the control unit 101 performs network settings for connection with the control device 200, and the process proceeds to step S703.

[0107] In step S703, the control unit 101 enables the network setting, waits for connection with the control device 200, and proceeds to step S704.

[0108] In step S704, the control unit 101 determines whether or not a connection request has been received from the control device 200. If a connection request has been received, the process proceeds to step S705;

[0109] In step S705, the control unit 101 determines whether or not a remote photography command has been received from the control device 200. If a remote photography command has been received, the process proceeds to step S706;

[0110] In step S706, the control unit 101 checks the focus drive control command during shooting that is received together with the remote shooting command from the control device 200. If shooting is performed using autofocus, the process proceeds to step S707, and if shooting is performed using fixed focus drive, the process proceeds to step S708. In step S707, the control unit 101 executes processing to focus on the subject, and then proceeds to step S708.

[0111] In step S708, the digital camera 100 performs photography and ends the flow.

[0112] <Top screen configuration> Fig. 8(a) is an explanatory diagram illustrating the screen configuration of the multi-remote app displayed on the display unit 206 of the control device 200. Fig. 8(a) shows a top screen 800 that indicates the entrance to the application for performing camera registration, group control settings, and function settings for each camera in order to perform multi-remote photography or individual photography with multiple digital cameras 100. The top screen 800 of the multi-remote app is composed of the following display / operation members.

[0113] For example, the top screen 800 includes a message display area 801 that displays a message when the digital camera 100 and the control device 200 are connected. The top screen 800 also includes a camera registration operation member 802 that has the function of launching a screen for registering the digital camera 100 that the control device 200 is to connect to and editing the network settings.

[0114] The top screen 800 also includes a group editing operation member 803 that has the function of activating a group editing screen for changing the name and color scheme of a group of digital cameras 100 to be registered.

[0115] The top screen 800 also includes a display area 804 for displaying the details of the registered digital cameras 100 and the group setting status.

[0116] The top screen 800 also includes a multi-screen operation member 810 that has the function of launching the multi-remote photography screen, and a group selection / display member 809 that selects a group of digital cameras 100 to be displayed on the multi-remote photography screen. However, the display / operation members that make up the top screen 800 are not limited to the examples described above.

[0117] Once the camera is registered, the connection status of the registered digital camera 100 and an operation member 805 for performing connection / disconnection operations are displayed in the display area 804, and a label member 806 showing the network information of the registered digital camera 100 is displayed.

[0118] 8(a) shows the registration status of the digital camera 100, showing a situation in which two digital cameras 100 are registered. Specifically, the first digital camera 112 has an IP address of 192.168.0.101, and the second digital camera 113 has an IP address of 192.168.0.102, and they are in a connected state.

[0119] Next, there is a function selection member 807 placed on the display area of ​​the registered digital camera 100, and when the user operates the function selection member 707, a function selection dialog 808 is displayed. As shown in Fig. 8(b), the function selection dialog 808 is composed of an IP address display member 811 showing the selected digital camera 100, a function selection button 812, and an operation member 814 for closing the function selection dialog 808.

[0120] When the user selects the function of the camera power setting button 813, a camera power setting screen 900 shown in FIG. 9 is displayed.

[0121] <Digital camera power control screen> When the control device 200 and the digital camera 100 are connected, the power of the digital camera 100 can be remotely turned OFF or ON via a network. This can be achieved by a camera power control function on a digital camera control application running on the control device 200.

[0122] The camera power setting screen 900 shown in FIG. 9(a) is a screen on which the control device 200 performs power control operations and settings for the digital camera 100.

[0123] The camera power setting screen 900 is composed of the following components.

[0124] The camera power setting screen 900 has a selected camera display operation area 901 that displays the connection status of a camera selected as a power control target, operation members for disconnecting the connection, and camera information such as the IP address. The camera power setting screen 900 has an area 902 where the MAC address of the selected camera can be displayed and edited. The MAC address display operation member 902 is an operation member that can display and edit the MAC address information of the digital camera 100 that the control device 200 obtained from the digital camera 100 when the digital camera 100 and control device 200 were connected.

[0125] The power setting screen 900 has a WOL setting area 903 for setting the WOL setting for powering on the selected camera. Furthermore, the WOL setting area has a WOL enable selection member 904 for selecting whether to start up the camera using WOL. When the WOL setting is enabled, the enabled / disabled state of the WOL setting is recorded in the multi-remote app of the control device 200, and a command to enable or disable the WOL setting is issued to the connected digital camera 100.

[0126] The control device 200 has an operation member 905 for transmitting a WOL packet to a selected camera when WOL is enabled, and activating the camera. The operation member 905 for activating the camera can be operated even when the digital camera 100 and the control device 200 are not connected.

[0127] The control device 200 has an operation member 906 for turning off the power of the digital camera 100 and transitioning it to a sleep state (an example of a power saving state) while the selected camera is connected to the control device 200. The operation using the operation member 906 is an example of a transition operation.

[0128] When the user operates the operation member 906 for powering off the digital camera 100, a message dialog 910 is displayed containing a message indicating that the digital camera 100 cannot be powered on. Examples of messages that may be displayed include when connected to a digital camera 100 that does not support WOL, when the camera to be powered off is on a different network, or when the digital camera 100 is connected wirelessly.

[0129] The warning display dialog 910 shown in FIG. 9(b) has a message display area 911 and an operation member for deciding whether or not to transition to sleep mode. When the operation member 912 for transitioning to sleep mode is selected, the control device 200 instructs the digital camera to transition to a sleep state. When the operation member 912 for transitioning to sleep mode is selected, the warning display dialog 910 is closed. Note that the message content may be output by other methods, and may be presented to the user by, for example, sound or vibration indicating a warning. The warning display dialog 910 is also an example of notification information.

[0130] When the user operates the operation member 906 for powering off the digital camera 100, if WOL is not enabled, a warning display dialog 920 is displayed.

[0131] The message dialog 920 shown in FIG. 9(c) has an operation member in the message display area 921 for determining whether to enable the WOL function for the user. When the operation member 923 for enabling WOL is selected, the control device 200 enables the WOL setting for the digital camera 100 and performs power-off control of the digital camera 100. When the operation member 922 for not enabling WOL is selected, the message dialog 920 is closed. Note that the message dialog 920 is an example of invalid notification information.

[0132] As described above, the power setting screen 900 of the camera is configured by the operation display member.

[0133] <Configuration of WOL Packet> To start up the camera or reset the camera, a Wake On Lan (WOL) packet is sent to the connected network as a UDP broadcast command.

[0134] FIG. 9(d) shows the configuration of the WOL packet 930.

[0135] The WOL packet 930 includes a preamble 931 indicating the start of the packet, a destination Mac address 932, a source Mac address 933, and a WOL type 934 as its components. Further, the WOL packet 930 includes the main body data 935 of the WOL packet and a frame check sequence (FCS) 936 for error confirmation of the packet. The main body data 935 of the WOL packet is composed of data contents in which the 6-byte data of FF-FF-FF-FF-FF-FF indicating the start of the data and the Mac address 936 of the digital camera 100 targeted by the power control command are repeated 16 times continuously.

[0136] Note that the configuration example 930 of the WOL packet shown in this embodiment is only an example, and any packet configuration that can be determined as a power control command for itself when the device targeted for power control receives it is acceptable.

[0137] Although the WOL packet 930 is an example of broadcast transmission by UDP communication, it may be a transmission command by unicast from the control device 200 specifying the IP address of the digital camera 100 .

[0138] The WOL packet 930 may be transmitted using TCP / IP or other communication protocols that can be received and recognized by the receiving digital camera 100 .

[0139] <Conditions under which the digital camera 100 cannot be turned on remotely> Even if the control device 200 sends a WOL packet to the digital camera 100, a situation may arise in which the power of the digital camera 100 cannot be started and turned on.

[0140] The first condition is when the control device 200 is connected to a digital camera 100 that does not have a WOL function. This is because even if a WOL packet is received, effective control over the digital camera 100 cannot be performed.

[0141] The second condition is when the control device 200 is connected to a network interface of the digital camera 100 that does not have a WOL function. The communication unit 111 or the communication unit 112 is a wireless network interface, and the digital camera 100 often does not have a WOL function to avoid power consumption when the power is off.

[0142] Furthermore, since the WOL packet 930 often uses a data transmission method at the transport layer, if the network interface does not support it, the WOL function may not be available.

[0143] The third condition is when the control device 200 and the digital camera 100 are on different networks. When the control device 200 and the digital camera 100 are located on different networks due to the network IP address and subnet mask range settings, communication is possible using HTTP communication over TCP / IP. However, the WOL packet 930 broadcast via UDP to the network may not reach the digital camera 100 due to the routing and gateway settings of intermediate network devices. In this embodiment, the control device 200 remotely determines the above-listed situations and conditions under which the digital camera 100 cannot be powered on before powering it off. The control device 200 then displays a warning to the user based on the determination result, thereby preventing the digital camera 100 from being remotely powered on. The situations and conditions under which the digital camera 100 cannot be powered on are an example of recovery availability information indicating whether the WOL packet can be used to return the digital camera 100 from a power-saving state to an active state.

[0144] <Power Control Sequence of Digital Camera 100> FIG. 10 shows a power supply control processing sequence in which the control device 200 turns the power supply off to the digital camera 100, then turns the power supply on, and then reconnects the digital camera 100.

[0145] The sequence begins when the digital camera 100 and the control device 200 are powered on and ready to be connected.

[0146] In sequence S1001, the user of the control device 200 requests connection with the digital camera 100.

[0147] In sequence S1002, the control device 200 transmits a connection start request command to the digital camera 100 to establish a connection with the digital camera 100. When the connection is established, the control device 200 acquires function information of the digital camera 100 and checks whether the digital camera 100 has a WOL function.

[0148] In sequence S1003, the control device 200 requests the MAC address of the digital camera 100.

[0149] In sequence S1004, the digital camera 100 transmits its own MAC address to the control device 200.

[0150] In sequence S 1005 , the control device 200 records the Mac address received from the digital camera 100 in the nonvolatile memory 203 .

[0151] In sequence S1006, the control device 200 requests information about the connection status of the digital camera 100. The information about the connection status indicates whether the connection is via a wired LAN (that is, a wired connection) or wirelessly.

[0152] In sequence S1007, the digital camera 100 transmits to the control device 200 information about the connection state of the digital camera 100 itself.

[0153] In sequence S 1008 , the control device 200 records the connection status information received from the digital camera 100 in the nonvolatile memory 203 .

[0154] In this example sequence, the WOL setting information is set to "Turn on the camera's power supply and start it up." In sequence S1009, the control device 200 checks the WOL setting by the user, and if the user's requested operation is correct, checks the user's WOL setting information stored in the nonvolatile memory 203, and then decides the WOL setting information.

[0155] In sequence S1010, the WOL setting information determined by the user is transmitted to the digital camera 100.

[0156] In sequence S1011, the digital camera 100 stores the WOL setting information received from the control device 200 in the nonvolatile memory 103.

[0157] In sequence S1012, the digital camera 100 notifies the control device 200 of the WOL setting information received from the control device 200, which has been reflected in the digital camera 100 and stored.

[0158] In sequence S1013, the user of the control device 200 accepts an operation to turn off the power to the digital camera 100.

[0159] In sequence S1014, the control device 200 determines the connection status and network status of the digital camera 100, determines whether the power of the digital camera 100 can be turned on remotely from the control device 200, and determines whether to display a warning. The control device 200 displays a warning depending on the determination result.

[0160] In sequence S1015, the control device 200 transmits a power-off command to the digital camera 100.

[0161] Sequence S1016 is processing performed by the digital camera 100 when the WOL setting information stored in the nonvolatile memory 103 is set to "power on camera and start up" in response to the power-off command received from the control device 200. In this case, the digital camera 100 sets the communication unit 113 so that the digital camera 100 can start up upon receiving the WOL packet 930, and then turns the power of the digital camera 100 off.

[0162] In sequence S1017, the user of the control device 200 accepts an operation to turn on the power of the digital camera 100.

[0163] In sequence S1018, the control device 200 transmits a WOL packet 930 to the digital camera 100 as a command to turn on the power of the digital camera 100.

[0164] In step S1019, the communication unit 113, which controls the wired LAN communication of the digital camera 100 that has received the WOL packet 930 from the control device 200, inputs an interrupt signal to the control unit 101 of the digital camera 100. Thereafter, the digital camera 100 performs a power startup process and enters a power-on state.

[0165] In sequence S1020, similar to sequence S1001, the user of the control device 200 requests connection with the digital camera 100. Note that the camera power-on operation in sequence S1017 may be recorded, and reconnection between the control device 200 and the digital camera 100 in sequence S1020 may be automatically initiated.

[0166] In sequence S1021, similarly to sequence S1002, the control device 200 transmits a connection start request command to the digital camera 100 and establishes a connection with the digital camera 100.

[0167] 10 has been described as an example in which the control device 200 requests connection status information from the digital camera 100 in sequence S1006. However, the timing of requesting connection status information is not limited to this example. For example, the control device 200 may request connection status information from the digital camera 100 before determining the connection status in sequence S1014, or may request connection status information multiple times.

[0168] <Warning display flowchart when power is turned off> 9(a), when the user performs a power-off operation on the camera power setting screen 900, the control device 200 determines the network status of the digital camera 100 when turning off the power of the digital camera 100. The control device 200 then determines a situation in which the digital camera 100 cannot be turned on, and performs processing to warn the user of the control device 200 and urge them not to turn off the power.

[0169] 11 is a flowchart illustrating the warning display control performed by the control device 200. The process begins when the user of the control device 200 turns off the power to the camera.

[0170] In step S1100, the control device 200 determines the type of the connected digital camera 100, determines whether it has a WOL function, and whether it is possible to remotely send a WOL packet 930 to the digital camera 100 to turn it on. If this is possible, proceed to step S1102; if not, proceed to step S1101.

[0171] In step S1101, since the connected digital camera 100 does not have the power-on function via WOL, a warning display dialog 910 containing a message to that effect is displayed on the camera's power setting screen 900, and the flow ends.

[0172] In step S1102, the control device 200 determines whether the user has enabled WOL. If the user's WOL setting information stored in the nonvolatile memory 203 is valid, the process proceeds to step S1105; if it is invalid, the process proceeds to step S1103.

[0173] In step S1103, the control device 200 displays a message dialog 920 to the user indicating that WOL is not enabled, and then the process proceeds to step S1104.

[0174] In step S1104, if the user selects operation member 923 for enabling WOL on the displayed message dialog 920, the flow proceeds to step S1105, and if the user selects operation member 922, the flow ends.

[0175] In step S1105, it is determined whether the digital camera 100 connected to the control device 200 is connected via a wired LAN, which is a network interface that can receive a WOL packet and turn on the camera's power. If the digital camera 100 is connected via a wired LAN, the process proceeds to step S1107, and if the digital camera 100 is connected via a network interface other than a wired LAN, the process proceeds to step S1106.

[0176] In step S1106, a warning display dialog 910 is displayed on the camera's power setting screen 900, stating that the digital camera 100 currently connected to the control device 200 cannot be powered on using WOL because it is not connected via a wired LAN, and the flow ends.

[0177] In step S1107, it is determined whether the digital camera 100 connected to the control device 200 is on the same network that can receive WOL packets. If they are on the same network, the flow ends, and if they are not on the same network, the flow proceeds to step S1108.

[0178] In step S1108, a warning dialog 910 is displayed on the camera power setting screen 900, stating that the digital camera 100 currently connected to the control device 200 is not on the same network and therefore cannot be powered on using WOL, and the flow ends.

[0179] <Supplementary information on the embodiment> The above-described power-off control of the digital camera 100 by the control device 200 and camera startup by the WOL packet 930 are examples of requests made to a single digital camera 100. However, similar control may also be performed when issuing commands simultaneously to multiple digital cameras 100 that are to be connected.

[0180] [Second embodiment] In the second embodiment, a method will be described in which the control device 200 remotely transmits a WOL packet 930 to a digital camera 100 that has fallen into an error state in multi-remote photography, causing the digital camera 100 to reset its own power supply and recover. Furthermore, the following describes an implementation in which the control device 200 determines the settings and conditions under which the digital camera 100 cannot be reset, and displays a warning and message to the user.

[0181] <Resetting the power of the digital camera 100> Figure 12(a) shows the multi-remote shooting screen of the multi-remote app running on the control device 200 when the control device 200 and multiple digital cameras 100 are connected and multi-remote shooting is in progress, as also shown in Figure 5(a).

[0182] During multi-remote photography with multiple cameras, a malfunction may occur in digital camera 100, causing an error state, making it impossible to operate the camera body or control it via communication from control device 200. As a result, a situation may arise in which digital camera 100 cannot be controlled remotely.

[0183] In Fig. 12(b), when the digital camera 100 has entered an error state, the display unit 106 of the digital camera 100 displays an error number and a message as an error message to the user. In the example shown in Fig. 12(b), the message is "An error has occurred and photography is not possible. Please turn the power off and on or reinsert the battery," but this example is not limiting. At the same time, as shown in Fig. 12(a), the control device 200 determines that a problem has occurred in communication with the digital camera 100. Then, on the multi-remote photography screen 500, a warning message dialog 1200 is displayed on the individual camera control member 502 of the digital camera 100 in which the error has occurred.

[0184] If the above situation occurs, the user cannot restore normal operation of digital camera 100 unless he or she operates the body of digital camera 100 to turn the power off and on again, or remove and reinsert the battery and reset digital camera 100. In the case of this embodiment, if an error occurs in digital camera 100 during a track and field event during multi-remote photography, the user cannot approach digital camera 100 and reset digital camera 100 by operating the body to turn the power on or remove and reinsert the battery.

[0185] Therefore, in this embodiment, the control device 200 sends a WOL packet 930 to the digital camera 100 in order to reset the digital camera 100 in which the error has occurred, and the digital camera 100, upon receiving the WOL packet 930, resets itself and recovers from the error state. Hereinafter, resetting the digital camera 100 by WOL will be referred to as a WOL reset.

[0186] In addition, in this embodiment, the digital camera 100 is reset using the WOL packet 930, so the "conditions under which the digital camera 100 cannot be reset remotely" are the same as those described in the first embodiment. The conditions described in the first embodiment here are "conditions under which the digital camera 100 cannot be powered on remotely."

[0187] <Digital camera power control screen> When the control device 200 and the digital camera 100 are connected, the control device 200 can remotely reset the digital camera 100 via a network. This function can be realized by a camera power control function on a digital camera control application running on the control device 200.

[0188] The camera power setting screen 900 shown in Figure 13(a) and also in Figure 9(a) is a screen on which the control device 200 performs power control operations and settings and reset settings for the digital camera 100 when the reset function is enabled for the digital camera 100.

[0189] In the second embodiment, the power control screen of the digital camera 100 is configured in a form in which the following elements are added to the power setting screen 900 of the camera shown in the first embodiment, and the control and display are changed.

[0190] It has a WOL reset setting area 1300 for setting the WOL reset setting for resetting the selected camera, and a WOL reset enable selection member 1301 for selecting whether to reset the camera using WOL. When enabling the WOL reset setting, the enable / disable state of the WOL reset setting is recorded in the multi-remote app of the control device 200, and a command to enable or disable the WOL reset setting is issued to the connected digital camera 100.

[0191] The digital camera 100 has an operation member 905 for starting up a selected camera by sending a WOL packet from the control device 200 when WOL setting or WOL reset is enabled. The operation member 905 for starting up or resetting the camera can be operated even when the digital camera 100 is powered off or in an error state and no connection with the control device 200 has been established.

[0192] Furthermore, since the operation when a WOL packet 930 is sent to the digital camera 100 changes depending on whether the WOL setting or WOL reset is enabled or disabled, the label indicating the function changes depending on the setting.

[0193] When the user operates the WOL reset enable selection member operation member 1301 to perform a WOL reset on the digital camera 100, a message dialog 910 is displayed containing a message indicating that a WOL reset cannot be performed on the digital camera 100. Whether or not the message dialog 910 is displayed is determined based on the determination result of the "conditions under which the reset control of the digital camera 100 cannot be performed remotely."

[0194] The WOL setting for powering on the digital camera 100 and the WOL reset setting for reset control are compatible, and the screen configurations for the enabled and disabled states of the WOL setting and the WOL reset setting are shown.

[0195] When the WOL setting is enabled and the WOL reset is disabled, and the label indicating the function is "Launch camera," the WOL enable selection member 904, the WOL reset enable selection member 1301, and the operation member 905 are displayed as shown in FIG. 13(b).

[0196] When the WOL setting is disabled and the WOL reset is enabled, and the label indicating the function is "Launch camera," the WOL enable selection member 904, the WOL reset enable selection member 1301, and the operation member 905 are displayed as shown in FIG. 13(c).

[0197] The camera power setting screen 900 is configured by the operation display members described above.

[0198] <Reset Control Sequence of Digital Camera 100> FIG. 14 shows a reset control processing sequence in which the control device 200 resets the digital camera 100 when an error occurs, and then reconnects the digital camera 100.

[0199] The sequence begins when the digital camera 100 and the control device 200 are powered on and ready to be connected.

[0200] In sequence S1401, the user of the control device 200 requests connection with the digital camera 100.

[0201] In sequence S1402, the control device 200 transmits a connection start request command to the digital camera 100 to establish a connection with the digital camera 100. When the connection is established, the control device 200 acquires function information of the digital camera 100 and checks whether the digital camera 100 has a WOL reset function.

[0202] In sequence S1403, the control device 200 requests the MAC address of the digital camera 100.

[0203] In sequence S 1404 , the digital camera 100 transmits its own MAC address to the control device 200 .

[0204] In sequence S 1405 , the control device 200 records the Mac address received from the digital camera 100 in the nonvolatile memory 203 .

[0205] In sequence S1406, the control device 200 requests information about the connection status of the digital camera 100. The information about the connection status indicates whether the connection is via a wired LAN or wirelessly.

[0206] In sequence S1407, the digital camera 100 transmits to the control device 200 information about the connection state of the digital camera 100 itself.

[0207] In sequence S 1408 , the control device 200 records the connection status information received from the digital camera 100 in the nonvolatile memory 203 .

[0208] In addition, in this sequence example, the setting information for WOL reset is set to "perform WOL reset of camera."

[0209] In sequence S1409, the control device 200 checks the WOL reset setting by the user, and if the user's requested operation is correct, checks the user's WOL reset setting information stored in the non-volatile memory 203, and determines the WOL reset setting information.

[0210] In sequence S1410, the control device 200 determines the connection status and network status of the digital camera 100, determines whether the digital camera 100 can be remotely reset from the control device 200, and determines whether to display a warning. The warning is displayed based on the determination result.

[0211] In sequence S1411, the WOL reset setting information determined by the user is transmitted to the digital camera 100.

[0212] In sequence S1412, the digital camera 100 stores the WOL reset setting information received from the control device 200 in the nonvolatile memory 103.

[0213] In sequence S1413, the digital camera 100 notifies the control device 200 of the WOL reset setting that has been reflected and stored in the digital camera 100 based on the WOL setting information received from the control device 200.

[0214] In sequence S1414, an error occurs in the digital camera 100, resulting in the state shown in Fig. 12(b). If the WOL reset setting information stored in the nonvolatile memory 103 at the time the error occurred is "Reset camera," the digital camera 100 sets the communication unit 113 so that it can receive WOL packets.

[0215] In sequence S1415, the control device 200 determines that an error state has been received from the digital camera 100 or that communication between the control device 200 and the camera has been cut off and there is no response. Then, an error state display is displayed indicating that an error has occurred in the target digital camera 100, as shown in Fig. 12(c).

[0216] In sequence S1416, the user of the control device 200 recognizes that an error has occurred in the digital camera 100, and accepts an operation to reset the digital camera 100.

[0217] In sequence S1417, the control device 200 transmits a WOL reset command made up of a WOL packet 903 to the digital camera 100.

[0218] In sequence S1418, the communication unit 113 of the digital camera 100 that has received the WOL packet 903 as a reset command from the control device 200 issues an interrupt signal to the control unit 101 of the digital camera. Then, the digital camera 100 performs a reset restart process, and the digital camera 100 restarts.

[0219] In sequence S1419, similar to sequence S1401, the user of the control device 200 performs a connection request operation with the digital camera 100.

[0220] In sequence S1420, similar to sequence S1402, the control device 200 sends a connection start request command to the digital camera 100 to establish a connection with the digital camera 100.

[0221] Note that in this sequence, an example of requesting information on the connection status of the digital camera 100 from the control device 200 at sequence S1406 when starting the connection between the digital camera 100 and the control device 200 has been described. However, before the determination of the connection status in sequence S1410, it may be possible to request information on the connection status from the control device 200 to the digital camera 100.

[0222] <WOL Reset Setting Warning Display Flowchart> Through the user's setting operation to enable the WOL reset function, the control device 200 enables the digital camera 100 to be reset when an error occurs in the digital camera 100. However, it is necessary to determine the "conditions under which the digital camera 100 cannot be remotely reset" and perform a process of warning the user of the control device 200 that even if the reset function is enabled, the digital camera 100 cannot be reset when an error occurs.

[0223] In FIG. 15, a flowchart in which the control device 200 performs warning display control will be described. It starts when the user of the control device 200 performs an operation to enable the WOL reset function on the power setting screen 900 shown in FIG. 13 of the digital camera of the camera.

[0224] In step S1500, the control device 200 determines the type of the connected digital camera 100, determines whether it has a WOL function, and whether it is possible to remotely send a WOL packet 930 to the digital camera 100 to turn it on. If this is possible, proceed to step S1502; if not, proceed to step S1501.

[0225] In step S1501, since the connected digital camera 100 does not have a reset function by WOL, a warning display dialog 910 stating this fact is displayed on the camera's power setting screen 900, and the flow ends.

[0226] In step S1502, it is determined whether the digital camera 100 connected to the control device 200 is connected via a wired LAN, which is a network interface that can receive a WOL packet and reset the camera when an error occurs. If the digital camera 100 is connected via a wired LAN, the process proceeds to step S1504, and if the digital camera 100 is connected via a network interface other than a wired LAN, the process proceeds to step S1503.

[0227] In step S1503, a warning display dialog 910 is displayed on the camera's power setting screen 900, stating that the digital camera 100 currently connected to the control device 200 cannot be powered on using WOL because it is not connected via a wired LAN, and the flow ends.

[0228] In step S1504, it is determined whether the digital camera 100 connected to the control device 200 is on the same network that can receive WOL packets. If they are on the same network, the flow ends, and if they are not on the same network, the process proceeds to step S1505.

[0229] In step S1505, since the control device 200 and the connected digital camera 100 are not on the same network, a warning display dialog 910 is displayed on the camera's power setting screen 900, and the flow ends. Here, the warning display dialog 910 may be, for example, a message indicating that the digital camera 100 cannot be reset by a WOL reset command.

[0230] <Supplementary information on the implementation form> The above-described camera reset control by the control device 200 using the WOL packet 930 on the digital camera 100 has been exemplified as a request for a single digital camera 100. However, the control device 200 may also perform similar control when issuing commands simultaneously to multiple digital cameras 100 that are to be connected.

[0231] (Other embodiments) The present invention can also be realized by executing the following process: software (program) that realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments is supplied to a system or device via a network or various storage media, and the computer (or control unit, MPU, etc.) of the system or device reads and executes the program code. In this case, the program and the storage medium storing the program constitute the present invention.

[0232] Although the present invention has been described in detail above based on preferred embodiments thereof, the present invention is not limited to these specific embodiments, and various forms within the scope of the gist of the present invention are also included in the present invention. Parts of the above-described embodiments may be combined as appropriate.

[0233] Note that each functional unit in each of the above embodiments (variations) may or may not be individual hardware. The functions of two or more functional units may be realized by common hardware. Each of multiple functions of one functional unit may be realized by individual hardware. Two or more functions of one functional unit may be realized by common hardware. Furthermore, each functional unit may or may not be realized by hardware such as an ASIC, FPGA, or DSP. For example, an apparatus may have a processor and a memory (storage medium) in which a control program is stored. Then, the functions of at least some of the functional units of the apparatus may be realized by the processor reading and executing the control program from the memory.

[0234] The present invention can also be realized by supplying a program that realizes one or more functions of the above-described embodiments to a system or device via a network or a storage medium, and having one or more processors in the computer of the system or device read and execute the program. It can also be realized by a circuit (e.g., ASIC) that realizes one or more functions.

[0235] [Configuration 1] A control device for controlling an external device, an acquisition means for acquiring recovery possibility information indicating whether the external device can be recovered from a power saving state to an active state by a WOL packet; a generating means for generating notification information indicating that the external device cannot be restored to the activated state in response to the recovery possibility information acquired from the external device indicating that the external device cannot be restored to the activated state when a transition operation for transitioning the external device from the activated state to the power saving state is performed by the WOL packet; A control device comprising:

[0236] [Configuration 2] the restoration possibility information includes connection status information indicating whether the external device is connected via a wired connection; The generating means When the transition operation is performed, the notification information is generated in response to the fact that the external device is not connected by wire. 2. The control device according to configuration 1.

[0237] [Configuration 3] the return possibility information includes function information indicating whether the external device has a WOL function; The generating means When the transition operation is performed, generating the notification information in response to the fact that the external device does not have a WOL function. 3. The control device according to configuration 1 or 2.

[0238] [Configuration 4] the restoration possibility information includes information indicating a network state indicating whether the external device is located on the same network as the control device, The generating means When the transition operation is performed, the notification means generates the notification in response to the fact that the external device is located on a network different from that of the control device. The control device according to any one of configurations 1 to 3.

[0239] [Configuration 5] The generating means When a setting operation for switching the WOL function of the external device from disabled to enabled is performed, the notification information is generated in response to the fact that the recovery possibility information acquired from the external device indicates that the external device cannot be restored to the activated state. The control device according to any one of configurations 1 to 4.

[0240] [Configuration 6] the setting operation includes a first setting operation for setting to wake up the external device in the power saving state by the WOL packet, and a second setting operation for setting to reset the external device in the activated state by the WOL packet; The generating means When the second setting operation is performed, generating the notification information in response to the fact that the restoration possibility information acquired from the external device indicates that restoration to the activated state is not possible. 6. The control device according to configuration 5.

[0241] [Configuration 7] The generating means When the transition operation is performed, if the WOL function of the external device is set to be disabled, generate disable notification information indicating that the WOL function of the external device is set to be disabled. 7. The control device according to any one of configurations 1 to 6.

[0242] [Configuration 8] The generating means generating the disable notification information including information indicating whether or not to switch the WOL function of the external device from disabled to enabled in response to the recovery possibility information acquired from the external device indicating that the external device can be restored to the activated state; 8. The control device according to configuration 7.

[0243] [Configuration 9] the external device is an imaging device; 9. The control device according to any one of configurations 1 to 8.

[0244] [Configuration 10] the control device is a device capable of controlling a plurality of imaging devices; 10. The control device of any one of configurations 1 to 9.

[0245] [Configuration 11] The notification information generating unit may further include a display unit configured to display the notification information generated by the generating unit. 11. The control device of any one of configurations 1 to 10.

[0246] [method] A control method for a control device that controls an external device, comprising: acquiring recovery possibility information indicating whether the external device can be recovered from a power saving state to an active state by a WOL packet; When a transition operation for transitioning the external device from the awake state to the power saving state is performed by the WOL packet, generating notification information indicating that the external device cannot be restored to the wake-up state in response to the recovery possibility information acquired from the external device indicating that the external device cannot be restored to the wake-up state; A computer-implemented control method comprising:

[0247] [program] A program for causing a computer to function as each means of the external device described in configuration 1.

Claims

1. A control device for controlling an external device, an acquisition means for acquiring recovery possibility information indicating whether the external device can be restored to an active state from a power saving state by a WOL packet; a generating means for generating notification information indicating that the external device cannot be restored to the activated state in response to the recovery possibility information acquired from the external device indicating that the external device cannot be restored to the activated state when a transition operation for transitioning the external device from the activated state to the power saving state is performed by the WOL packet; A control device comprising:

2. the restoration possibility information includes connection status information indicating whether the external device is connected via a wired connection; The generating means When the transition operation is performed, the notification information is generated in response to the fact that the external device is not connected by wire. The control device according to claim 1 .

3. the recovery possibility information includes function information indicating whether the external device has a WOL function; The generating means When the transfer operation is performed, the notification information is generated in response to the fact that the external device does not have a WOL function. The control device according to claim 1 .

4. the restoration possibility information includes information indicating a network state indicating whether the external device is located on the same network as the control device, The generating means When the transition operation is performed, the notification means generates the notification in response to the fact that the external device is located on a network different from that of the control device. The control device according to claim 1 .

5. The generating means When a setting operation for switching the WOL function of the external device from disabled to enabled is performed, the notification information is generated in response to the fact that the recovery possibility information acquired from the external device indicates that the external device cannot be restored to the activated state. The control device according to claim 1 .

6. the setting operation includes a first setting operation for setting to wake up the external device in the power saving state by the WOL packet, and a second setting operation for setting to reset the external device in the activated state by the WOL packet; The generating means When the second setting operation is performed, the notification information is generated in response to the fact that the restoration possibility information acquired from the external device indicates that the device cannot be restored to the activated state. The control device according to claim 5 .

7. The generating means When the transfer operation is performed, if the WOL function of the external device is set to be disabled, generate disable notification information indicating that the WOL function of the external device is set to be disabled. The control device according to claim 1 .

8. The generating means generating the disable notification information including information indicating whether or not to switch the WOL function of the external device from disabled to enabled in response to the recovery possibility information acquired from the external device indicating that the external device can be restored to the activated state; The control device according to claim 7.

9. the external device is an imaging device; The control device according to claim 1 .

10. the control device is a device capable of controlling a plurality of imaging devices; The control device according to claim 1 .

11. The notification information generating unit may further include a display unit configured to display the notification information generated by the generating unit. The control device according to claim 1 .

12. A control method for a control device that controls an external device, comprising: acquiring recovery possibility information indicating whether the external device can be restored from a power saving state to an activated state by a WOL packet; When a transition operation for transitioning the external device from the activated state to the power saving state is performed by the WOL packet, generating notification information indicating that the external device cannot be restored to the activated state in response to the fact that the restoration possibility information acquired from the external device indicates that the external device cannot be restored to the activated state; A computer-implemented control method comprising:

13. A program for causing a computer to function as each of the means of the external device according to claim 1.

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