Electronic apparatus

Abstract

To generate an imaging signal with a suitable SN ratio for each operation mode.SOLUTION: An electronic apparatus includes communication means for communicating with another electronic apparatus having first imaging means for taking an image and second imaging means, and control means for causing the first imaging means to take an image on the basis of an imaging instruction, causing the second imaging means to take an image via the communication means on the basis of the imaging instruction, and causing the image data taken by the first imaging means to be stored in a storage unit, and the communication means receives image data captured by the second imaging means from the other electronic apparatus.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an electronic device. [Background technology]

[0002] BACKGROUND ART A camera system in which a plurality of cameras perform coordinated imaging is known (see, for example, Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2001-008089 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, in the conventional camera systems described above, it is desirable to have multiple devices appropriately coordinate image capture. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] An electronic device according to one aspect of the present invention comprises a first imaging means for capturing images, a communication means for communicating with another electronic device having a second imaging means, and a control means for causing the first imaging means to capture images based on an imaging instruction, causing the second imaging means to capture images based on the imaging instruction via the communication means, and storing image data captured by the first imaging means in a storage unit, wherein the communication means receives image data captured by the second imaging means from the other electronic device. [Effects of the Invention]

[0006] According to the present invention, it is possible to appropriately perform coordinated imaging using a plurality of devices. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0007] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an electronic camera according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 2] 1 is a rear view of an electronic camera according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 3] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of an operation menu screen of the electronic camera according to the embodiment; [Figure 4] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a screen for setting pairing conditions of the electronic camera according to an embodiment; [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a pairing person setting screen of the electronic camera according to an embodiment; [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a folder display screen of an electronic camera according to an embodiment. [Figure 7] A diagram showing an example of a folder display screen of another electronic camera [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a thumbnail list display of an electronic camera according to an embodiment. [Figure 9] A flowchart showing an image reproduction program for an electronic camera according to an embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0008] An embodiment of the present invention applied to image playback in a digital still camera (hereinafter referred to as DSC or electronic camera) will be described. In this embodiment, a compact electronic camera will be used as an example, but single-lens reflex or other electronic cameras may also be used. Figure 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the electronic camera according to this embodiment. Note that illustration and description of camera equipment and circuits not directly related to image playback in the electronic camera will be omitted.

[0009] 1, the electronic camera 1 includes a photographing optical system 11, an image sensor 12, an AFE (Analog Front End) circuit 13, an image processing circuit 14, a speaker driving circuit 15, a speaker 16, an LCD monitor 17, a RAM 18, a flash memory 19, a CPU (microcomputer) 20, a memory card interface (I / F) 21, a communication control circuit 22, an operation member 23, an attitude sensor 24, an audio processing circuit 25, a microphone 26, etc., and these devices and circuits are connected via a bus 27. A memory card 51 is inserted into the memory card interface 21 via a connector (not shown).

[0010] Although the photographic optical system 11 is illustrated as a single lens, it is actually made up of a group of multiple lenses including a zoom lens and a focusing lens, and forms an image of a subject on the imaging surface of the image sensor 12. The image sensor 12 is made up of a CMOS image sensor or the like in which multiple light-receiving elements are arranged two-dimensionally on its light-receiving surface, and photoelectrically converts the subject image formed by the photographic optical system 11 to output an analog image signal.

[0011] The AFE circuit 13 performs analog processing such as correlated double sampling and gain adjustment on the analog image signal, and converts the analog-processed image signal into digital image data. The image processing circuit 14 performs various image processing on the digital image data (color interpolation, gradation conversion, edge enhancement, white balance adjustment, image compression, image expansion, etc.).

[0012] The speaker drive circuit 15 generates audio playback signals such as operation sounds, warning sounds, and audio messages from the audio data sent from the CPU 20, and drives the speaker 16 to play the audio. The LCD monitor 17 is composed of a liquid crystal panel and displays images, operation menu screens, etc. in accordance with instructions from the CPU 20. The RAM 18 is used as a work memory for the CPU 20 and also temporarily stores digital image data from pre- and post-processing of image processing by the image processing circuit 14. The flash memory 19 stores programs to be executed by the CPU 20 (including the image playback program described later) and also stores reference data described later.

[0013] The CPU 20 controls various operations of the electronic camera 1, such as image capture, exposure, focus adjustment (AF), and image display, and also controls image playback by executing an image playback program, which will be described later. In this embodiment, focus adjustment control is performed using a contrast detection method, which determines the in-focus position of a focusing lens (not shown) based on contrast information from a through-the-lens image. The through-the-lens image is a monitor image that is repeatedly captured by the image sensor 12 at a predetermined time interval (e.g., 30 frames per second) before a shooting instruction is issued.

[0014] The memory card interface 21 writes images and various information data to the memory card 51 and reads images and various information data from the memory card 51. In this embodiment, the memory card 51 with a built-in semiconductor memory is used as an example, but any type of recording medium for recording images and various information data can be used.

[0015] The communication control circuit 22 performs wireless communication with external devices, including other electronic cameras, via an antenna 22a. The communication control circuit 22 also has a human body communication function for performing communication via the human body. Specifically, as shown in rear view 2 of the electronic camera 1, transmitting and receiving electrodes 22b to 22e are arranged so as to be exposed on the top, bottom, left, and right surfaces of the housing of the electronic camera 1. A user of the electronic camera 1 and a user of another electronic camera each hold the electronic camera 1 in one hand so as to touch at least one transmitting and receiving electrode, and when both users shake hands with the other hand that is not holding the electronic camera 1, a closed circuit is formed by capacitive coupling between the human bodies, and communication between the electronic cameras is performed using both human bodies as antennas (Publication No. 2006 / 054706).

[0016] As shown in rear view 2 of the electronic camera, the operation members 23 include various switches such as a release button 23a, zoom switches T23b ​​and W23c, a mode switch 23d, a menu switch 23e, a delete switch 23f, a cross switch 23g, and an OK switch 23h. The operation members 23 send signals to the CPU 20 in response to the user's operation of the operation members 23, such as a mode switching operation or menu selection operation.

[0017] The OK switch 23h is also used as a release button for the other paired electronic camera. When the OK switch 23h is pressed while the other paired electronic camera is set to remote control shooting mode, a release signal is sent to that electronic camera via the communication control circuit 22, and the electronic camera performs a shooting operation.

[0018] The attitude sensor 24 detects the direction of gravity, and the CPU 20 determines the shooting attitude of the electronic camera 1 based on the direction of gravity detected by the attitude sensor 24. Specifically, not only the vertical and horizontal shooting attitudes of the electronic camera 1, but also the top-to-bottom orientation of the electronic camera 1 is determined. The audio processing circuit 25 amplifies the audio signal collected by the microphone 26 and converts the amplified signal into digital audio data using an A / D conversion circuit (not shown). The lighting device 28 is a device for illuminating the subject when shooting at night, etc. The power supply circuit 29 converts the power supply voltage of the battery 52 to a predetermined voltage and supplies it to devices and circuits such as the CPU 20 of the electronic camera 1. The lens driving circuit 30 drives the zoom lens of the taking lens 11 to adjust the focal length and drives the focusing lens of the taking lens 11 to adjust the focus.

[0019] The CPU 20 of the electronic camera 1 communicates with other electronic cameras having substantially the same configuration as the electronic camera 1, and establishes a state in which multiple cameras can perform cooperative shooting (hereinafter referred to as a pairing state). Specifically, commands and data are sent from one of the electronic camera 1 and the other electronic camera to the other, and the electronic camera that receives them replies to the electronic camera that sent the command, establishing communication, and then the pairing state is established by satisfying certain conditions, which will be described later.

[0020] The camera is configured to be switchable between a pairing photography mode in which pairing is performed and a normal photography mode in which pairing is not performed. This mode switching may be performed, for example, by pressing the mode switch 23d, or may be performed on an "operation menu" screen that is displayed by pressing the menu switch 23e.

[0021] In this embodiment, the user can select one of four pairing conditions: "Normal," "Face Recognition," "Handshake," and "Camera Touch." The process of selecting the pairing condition is performed by the CPU 20 according to the following procedure before communication with another electronic camera is performed. When the menu switch 23e is pressed, the "Operation Menu" screen shown in FIG. 3 is displayed on the LCD monitor 17. The "Operation Menu" includes a "Registration Photoshoot" item 171, a "Set Pairing Condition" item 172, a "Pairing Off Timer" item 173, and a "Set Pairing Person" item 174. When the cross switch 23g is pressed up or down while the "Operation Menu" screen is displayed, the selected item changes up or down in response to the operation signal. When the cross switch 23g is pressed right while the "Set Pairing Condition" item 172 is selected, the "Set Pairing Condition" screen shown in FIG. 4 is displayed on the LCD monitor 17.

[0022] In Fig. 4, four types of "pairing establishment conditions" are displayed, namely, a "normal" item 176, a "face recognition" item 177, a "handshake" item 178, and a "camera touch" item 179. When the cross switch 23g is pressed up or down while the screen shown in Fig. 4 is displayed, the selected item changes up or down in response to the operation signal. When the cross switch 23g is pressed rightward, the item selected at that time becomes the pairing establishment condition.

[0023] When the pairing establishment condition is set to "normal," pairing is established on the condition that communication with another electronic camera is established. The communication control circuit 22 has its transmission power preset so that communication takes place within a predetermined range (for example, 10 m). Note that this transmission power is configured so that the communication range can be limited in stages, for example, to 3 m or 50 cm, by operating the menu. When pairing is established under the "normal" condition, the electronic camera that first sent the command and data becomes the parent camera, and the electronic camera that received them becomes the child camera.

[0024] Furthermore, if the pairing establishment condition is set to "face identification," after communication with another electronic camera is established, the face of a person included in a through image is detected and identified as being the face of a predetermined person, and pairing is established on the condition that the face of the predetermined person is identified. If pairing is established under the condition of "face identification," the electronic camera that performed the face identification will be the parent camera, and the electronic camera whose face was identified will be the child camera.

[0025] The setting of a specific person with whom pairing is to be established is performed in advance by the CPU 20 as follows, before communication with another electronic camera is performed. When the "Pairing Person Setting" item 174 is selected and the cross switch 23g is pressed right while the "Operation Menu" screen shown in FIG. 3 is displayed, the "Pairing Person Setting" screen shown in FIG. 5 is displayed on the LCD monitor 17. Then, thumbnail image data of "faces" is read from all reference data recorded (registered) in the flash memory 19, and the thumbnail image is displayed. The reference data includes thumbnail image data of "faces" and feature amount data generated based on the image data. The feature amount data is used for the above-mentioned "face identification." The reference data used for "face identification" is recorded (registered) in the flash memory 19 in advance.

[0026] 5, thumbnail images of the "faces" of person A, person B, and person C are displayed. A check box is displayed to the left of each thumbnail image. For example, check box 172 is displayed to the left of thumbnail image 171.

[0027] When the cross switch 23g is pressed up or down while the "Pairing Person Setting" screen is displayed, the display position of the cursor 173 moves up or down in response to the operation signal. When the OK switch 23h is pressed, a check mark is displayed in the check box surrounded by the cursor 173. Next, when the OK switch 23h is pressed with the check mark displayed in the check box, the check mark in the check box is removed. Then, the "face" of the thumbnail image indicated by the check mark on the "Pairing Person Setting" screen is set as the identification target.

[0028] Furthermore, if the pairing establishment condition is set to "handshake," pairing is established on the condition that data is received via the above-mentioned human body communication after communication is established with another electronic camera. As described above, a closed circuit is formed by a handshake between the users of electronic camera 1 and the other electronic camera with which communication has been established, and the electronic cameras send and receive predetermined data to establish pairing. If pairing is established under the "handshake" condition, the electronic camera that first sends commands and data in the closed circuit via handshake becomes the parent camera, and the electronic camera that receives them becomes the child camera.

[0029] Furthermore, if the pairing condition is set to "camera touch," pairing is established upon direct contact between the electronic cameras after establishing communication with another electronic camera. As described above, the transmitting and receiving electrodes 22b-22e are exposed and disposed on the top, bottom, left, and right surfaces of the housing of the electronic camera 1 (see FIG. 2). When two electronic cameras come into direct contact with each other at any of these transmitting and receiving electrodes 22b-22e, a large current flows because the impedance of the closed circuit is lower than that during human body communication via the human body. The generation of this signal current is detected through the communication control circuit 22 to determine whether the electronic cameras have come into contact with each other. The communication control circuit 22 identifies which of the transmitting and receiving electrodes 22b-22e has made contact and notifies the CPU 20 of this. Based on the relative positions of the contacting electrodes between the electronic cameras, it is determined which electronic camera was on top at the time of contact, and the top electronic camera is designated as the parent camera, and the bottom electronic camera is designated as the child camera.

[0030] If pairing is established under any of the conditions, both the parent and child devices in the pairing will manage the paired device using identification information such as the electronic camera ID, and will also synchronize the child device's time to match the parent device's time.

[0031] While pairing is established, the contents of a file folder that has been set up for sharing in advance can be viewed from the other party's electronic camera via wireless communication. Figure 6 is an example of the "Folder Display" screen displayed on the LCD monitor 17 of Mr. X's electronic camera 1, which is the "parent device." Figure 6 shows the folders in Mr. X's (Mr. X's) camera. The "Pair Folder" on "My Camera" side is a folder that is permitted to be viewed by the pairing partner (Mr. B's electronic camera, which is the child device in this example) while pairing is established. Image files recorded in the "Pair Folder" on "My Camera" side can be viewed from Mr. B's electronic camera, which is the child device, via wireless communication.

[0032] Figure 6 also shows the folders in the child device, Mr. B's digital camera. The "pair folder" on "Mr. B's camera" side is a folder that the pairing partner (in this example, Mr. X's digital camera, the parent device) is permitted to view while pairing is established.

[0033] Figure 7 is an example of the "Folder Display" screen displayed on the LCD monitor of Mr. B's electronic camera, which is the slave device. Figure 7 shows the folders in Mr. B's (my) camera. The "Pair Folder" on "My Camera" is a folder that is permitted to be viewed by the pairing partner (Mr. X's electronic camera, which is the master device, in this example) while pairing is established. Image files recorded in the "Pair Folder" on "My Camera" can be viewed from Mr. X's electronic camera, which is the master device, via wireless communication.

[0034] 7 also shows the folders in the parent device, Mr. X's electronic camera 1. The "pair folder" on the "Mr. X's camera" side is a folder that is permitted to be viewed by the pairing partner (in this example, Mr. B's electronic camera, the child device) while pairing is established.

[0035] A pair folder is generated each time a pairing relationship is established with another electronic camera and paired photography is performed with that electronic camera. Naturally, therefore, there may be multiple pair folders. Multiple pair folders may have the same or different pairing partners, and even the same pairing partner may have different photography times (including photography dates). The pair folder properties record identification information of the pairing partner, photography time information, folder sharing setting information, and the like.

[0036] When pairing is established, the electronic camera can view all folders on the "own camera" side and the "pair folder" on the paired partner "person's camera" side. When a folder selection operation (selection is performed by pressing the cross switch 23g and confirmation is performed by pressing the OK switch 23h) is performed, thumbnail images of the image files in the selected folder are displayed on the LCD monitor 17.

[0037] 8 shows an example of a thumbnail list display. A cursor 131 is displayed on one of the multiple thumbnails. The cursor position can be freely moved up, down, left, or right by a thumbnail selection operation (by pressing the cross switch 23g). When the OK switch 23h is pressed, a playback image corresponding to the thumbnail image on which the cursor is currently positioned is displayed full screen on the LCD monitor 17.

[0038] Next, the shooting operation during pairing will be described. When the release button 23a (see FIG. 2) is operated while pairing is established, the CPU 20 executes the shooting operation. During pairing shooting, the paired electronic cameras capture the same subject, but they communicate with each other to slightly change the shooting conditions so that the images do not end up looking similar. For example, if one electronic camera is set to wide-angle, the other electronic camera is automatically set to telephoto so that the zoom ratios are somewhat different. In this case, the electronic cameras communicate with each other to set the electronic camera with a lens that has a higher zoom ratio to telephoto, and the electronic camera with a lens capable of capturing wider-angle images to wide-angle. Since the wide-angle side contains more color information, white balance control is performed based on the image from the wide-angle electronic camera, and that information is fed back to the telephoto electronic camera to perform common white balance control.

[0039] In addition, sensitivity and shutter speed can be controlled between multiple paired electronic cameras, with one electronic camera set to a high shutter speed and the other to a low shutter speed, allowing for simultaneous capture of moving subjects with different styles. For portrait photography, the system provides guidance for taking pictures from a number of different angles. Specifically, face recognition is performed in the through-the-lens image, and guidance is provided by voice and monitor images to ensure different angles are taken, such as diagonally forward right and diagonally forward left, or front and side.

[0040] Furthermore, during paired shooting, multiple paired electronic cameras communicate with each other and shoot images. In other words, by staggering the shooting times, long-term shooting is possible. In the case of video shooting, one electronic camera shoots a video, and then the other electronic camera shoots a video, allowing the cameras to play catch with each other while shooting video and continuously shoot videos from different shooting angles. Similarly, in still image shooting, one electronic camera shoots one or more still images, and then the other electronic camera shoots one or more still images, allowing the cameras to play catch with each other while shooting multiple still images, and during playback, a slideshow of the series of images shot by the multiple electronic cameras can be provided.

[0041] Next, the CPU 20 executes the operation of recording the image captured during the pairing. Based on the information before the capture process and the image data acquired during the capture process, an image file in Exif format containing image data and capture information is generated. The Exif format image file embeds data such as a thumbnail image and capture information within image data in JPEG image format, and this image file is recorded on the memory card 51.

[0042] An Exif-format image file has a structure with a header area for recording image information and an image data area for recording captured image data. The CPU 20 records information indicating that the image was captured while pairing was established in the header area (tag area) of the image file. The information indicating that the image was captured while pairing was established includes identification information of the paired device (such as a camera ID) and capture time information based on the timekeeping after the time was set. Note that instead of recording the information indicating that the image was captured while pairing was established in the header area of ​​the image file, it may be recorded as a separate file associated with the image file.

[0043] Next, a method for playing back images captured by multiple electronic cameras while pairing is established will be described. While this embodiment shows an example of playing back images using electronic camera 1, playback of images captured in a pairing state is not limited to electronic camera 1. Images captured in a pairing state may be transferred to a personal computer (hereinafter referred to as a PC) and the playback process described below may be performed on the PC. Alternatively, images may be transferred to a digital photo frame (hereinafter referred to as a DPF) and the playback process described below may be performed on the DPF.

[0044] Fig. 9 is a flowchart showing an image playback program according to one embodiment. When playback mode is selected by the mode switch 23d of the operation member 23, the CPU 20 starts executing the image playback program shown in Fig. 9. In step 1, a "folder display" screen is displayed on the LCD monitor 17, showing all image folders to be played back. These image folders to be played back are pair folders and all image folders recorded on the memory card 51 of the electronic camera 1 itself, as shown in Fig. 6.

[0045] In step 2, it is determined whether or not a pair holder has been selected by the holder selection operation using the cross switch 23g and OK switch 23h of the operation member 23. If a pair holder has not been selected, the process proceeds to step 3, where the image file of the selected holder is read and displayed on the LCD monitor 17. Note that playback processing of images recorded in holders other than the pair holder, i.e., images other than paired photographed images, is performed using the conventional method, and a description of this method will be omitted here.

[0046] On the other hand, if a pair holder is selected, the process proceeds to step 4, where the pairing photographed image data recorded in the pair holder of the paired electronic camera is read and stored in RAM 18 (see FIG. 1) as a paired image group together with the pairing photographed images recorded in the pair holder of the user's own electronic camera 1. As described above, image data captured by pairing photographing has pairing partner identification information (camera ID, etc.) and photographing time information recorded in the header area of ​​the image file, so the pairing photographed images are read from the pairing partner electronic camera based on this information.

[0047] As described above, a pair folder is generated each time a pairing relationship is established with another electronic camera and paired photography is performed with that electronic camera. Naturally, therefore, there may be multiple pair folders. Multiple pair folders may have the same or different pairing partners, and even if they have the same pairing partner, they may have different photography times (including photography dates). The properties of a pair folder include the identification information of the pairing partner, photography time information, folder sharing setting information, and the like.

[0048] The pairing partner electronic camera reads the identification information and shooting time information of the pair holder selected as the playback target from the properties of the pair holder, communicates with the pairing partner electronic camera to introduce the identification information of its own electronic camera and the shooting time information of the pair holder to be played back, and requests the pairing partner electronic camera to search for pair holders with shooting times approximately the same as the shooting time of the pair holder to be played back. The pairing partner electronic camera checks the properties of the pair holders recorded in its memory, searches for pair holders corresponding to the pair holder to be played back, i.e., pair holders with matching identification information and shooting time information of the pairing partner, and transmits the pairing shot image data included in the pair holder to the requested electronic camera.

[0049] The pairing partner's identification information and shooting time information are also recorded in the header area of ​​each pairing-shot image data, and the pairing partner's electronic camera reads this information and introduces its own identification information and the shooting time information of the image to be played back to the pairing partner's electronic camera, and requests the pairing partner's electronic camera to search for pairing-shot images that were shot at approximately the same time as the pairing-shot image to be played back. The pairing partner's electronic camera checks the header area of ​​the pairing image data recorded in its memory, searches for pairing-shot images that correspond to the pairing-shot image to be played back, and transmits that data to the requested electronic camera.

[0050] The paired photographed images may be read from the paired partner electronic camera by wireless communication using the communication control circuit 22, or may be read by wired communication by connecting to the paired partner electronic camera with a communication cord.

[0051] Next, in step 5, it is determined whether the images in the paired image group are images of a person. When playing back paired images taken with a person as the main subject, playing back images taken with multiple digital cameras in chronological order can be difficult to see due to frequent changes in shooting angles. It is more effective and natural to play back paired images of people grouped together by shooting angle to some extent. The header area of ​​the image file records shooting scene mode setting information, such as macro, landscape, portrait, and night scene, and if the set shooting scene mode is portrait, it is determined to be an image of a person. Alternatively, the image itself can be analyzed to determine whether it is an image of a person.

[0052] When playing back paired photographed images taken with a person as the main subject, proceed to step 6, where images taken by one of the paired photographed cameras (e.g., the parent camera) among the paired photographed images stored in the paired photograph group folder are displayed on LCD monitor 17 in the order of their shooting time at predetermined time intervals, performing a slideshow playback. After that, images taken by the other camera (e.g., the child camera) are displayed on LCD monitor 17 in the order of their shooting time at predetermined time intervals, performing a slideshow playback. This makes it possible to effectively play back a slideshow of a series of images that match the movements of people during shooting, for each shooting angle, achieving more natural image playback.

[0053] On the other hand, if the paired photographed image is not of a person, the process proceeds to step 7, where the paired photographed images taken by the multiple paired cameras stored in the paired image group folder are simply displayed on the LCD monitor 17 in the order of their photographing time at predetermined time intervals, and a slideshow is played back.

[0054] Even if the pairing photographed images are not of people, the playback method can be changed by custom setting operation of the playback method menu using the operation member 23 so that, instead of playing back the pairing photographed images taken with multiple electronic cameras in the order of their shooting times, the images taken at the time of pairing with one electronic camera, for example, the parent camera, are first played back in the order of their shooting times, and then the images taken at the time of pairing with the other electronic camera, for example, the child camera, are played back in the order of their shooting times.

[0055] Furthermore, when playing back paired captured images, a series of similar images can be difficult to view. Therefore, if there are images captured at approximately the same time, the image from one camera (e.g., the parent camera) is used and the image from the other camera (e.g., the child camera) is skipped for playback. Alternatively, an image with a low amount of contour extraction and poor image quality as a result of image analysis may be determined to be an image with camera shake, and the image with the most contour extraction, i.e., the image without camera shake, among images captured at approximately the same time may be used and the image with the highest degree of contour extraction may be used and the image with the lowest degree of smile may be skipped for playback. This playback method of playing back one of multiple paired captured images captured at the same time and skipping the remaining images can be customized in advance via a menu screen, allowing detailed settings such as whether to perform this method or how to skip images if performed.

[0056] When playing back paired captured images on a PC or DPF, processing starts from step 4 of the image playback program in Figure 9, and in step 4, paired captured images are read from multiple electronic cameras, and the above-mentioned processing is performed in steps 5 to 7.

[0057] In the embodiment described above, an example was shown in which multiple images were recorded by folder or pair folder, but they do not necessarily need to be recorded by folder, and as long as identification information of the pairing partner and pairing photography time information are recorded for each image data, they can be separated into a pair image group based on this information. Furthermore, pairing photographed images may be stored and recorded in a single pair folder regardless of the pairing partner and pairing photography time.

[0058] In the embodiment described above, an example was shown in which the image playback function of the present invention was installed in an electronic camera, but the image playback function of the present invention may also be installed in electronic devices such as mobile phones and mobile PCs equipped with imaging functions.

[0059] It should be noted that in the above-described embodiments and their modifications, any combination of the embodiments and modifications is possible.

[0060] The above-described embodiment and its modified example can achieve the following advantageous effects: First, when playing back a plurality of images that have been paired and photographed (cooperative photographing) by a plurality of electronic cameras and in which information about the paired photographing partner (cooperative photographing partner) and photographing time information are recorded for each image, the plurality of images that were paired and photographed by the plurality of electronic cameras at approximately the same time are aggregated into a paired image group based on the information about the paired photographing partner and the photographing time information, and the plurality of images included in the paired image group are played back in order of their photographing time in accordance with the photographing time information, so that the plurality of images that were paired and photographed by the plurality of electronic cameras can be played back effectively and continuously, and the movement of the subject at the time of photographing can be faithfully reproduced.

[0061] Furthermore, according to one embodiment and its variant, of the multiple images included in the paired image group, the images captured by the first electronic camera are played back in the order of their shooting times, and then the images captured by the second electronic camera are played back in the order of their shooting times. This makes it possible to play back images consecutively in accordance with the photographer's shooting intentions for each electronic camera, and faithfully reproduce the movement of the subject for each electronic camera during shooting.

[0062] According to one embodiment and its variant, a determination is made as to whether or not the multiple images included in the paired image group were taken of a person, and if it is determined that the images were taken of a person, then of the multiple images included in the paired image group, the images taken by the first electronic camera are played back in the order of their shooting time, and then the images taken by the second electronic camera are played back in the order of their shooting time; on the other hand, if it is determined that the images were not taken of a person, all of the images included in the paired image group are played back in the order of their shooting time. If a plurality of paired photographed images of a person taken with a plurality of electronic cameras are simply played back in the order of their shooting times, the photographing angles may change frequently and make viewing difficult, but according to the embodiment described above, paired photographed images of a person can be played back to a certain extent by grouping them by shooting angle, making it possible to realize an effective and natural-looking slide show that follows the movement of the person at the time of shooting. On the other hand, for paired photographed images of other than a person, a slide show that follows the movement of the subject at the time of shooting can be realized by simply playing them back in the order of their shooting times.

[0063] According to one embodiment and its variant, when there are multiple images captured at approximately the same time among the multiple images included in a pair image group, one of them is selected as the playback image and played back, thereby preventing the hassle and difficulty of viewing a series of similar scenes.

[0064] According to one embodiment and its variant, a plurality of images included in a pair image group that were taken at approximately the same time are analyzed to extract contours, and the image that has the greatest amount of contour extraction among the plurality of images taken at approximately the same time is selected and played back as the playback image, making it possible to select and play back an image with little camera shake and good image quality.

[0065] According to one embodiment and its variant, a plurality of images captured at approximately the same time among a plurality of images included in a pair image group are analyzed to detect the degree of smile, and the image determined to have the highest degree of smile is selected and played back as the playback image, so that an image showing a smile can be selected and played back. [Explanation of symbols]

[0066] 1; electronic camera, 12; imaging element, 17; LCD monitor, 19; flash memory, 20; CPU, 22; communication control circuit, 22a; antenna, 51; memory card

Claims

[Claim 1] a first imaging means for capturing an image; a communication means for communicating with another electronic device having a second imaging means; a control means for causing the first imaging means to capture an image based on an imaging instruction, causing the second imaging means to capture an image via the communication means based on the imaging instruction, and causing image data captured by the first imaging means to be stored in a storage unit; The electronic device, wherein the communication means receives image data captured by the second imaging means from the other electronic device.

Images