Imaging device

Abstract

To provide an imaging system and an imaging method that record and reproduce an image indicating position information and images photographed by a user as one moving image without performing complicated processing.SOLUTION: A video camera is provided with an image input arbitration unit that arbitrates and captures video data from two input means including a video camera 1 and another video input source, and stores the video data in a memory. The other video input source is taken as a video output terminal of a car navigation system, and thereby a screen (map information) of the car navigation system and images photographed by a user can together be captured in the memory. In a video camera for monitoring, a medium storing map image data in advance, for example, a USB flash memory and an SD card, and read-out means that reads out the map image data from the medium are taken as separate video input sources, and thereby the images can similarly be captured in the memory. The data in the memory is compressed and encoded as a moving image, and thereby the map information and the images photographed by the user can be processed as one moving image.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a system and method for recording and playing back an image showing location information and an image taken by a user as a single moving image. [Background technology]

[0002] In recent years, the advancement of digital still cameras and video cameras has made it extremely easy for users to capture and record large amounts of video information. For example, when going on a long trip, it is conceivable that after reviewing the footage taken at the end of the trip, you may find yourself unable to remember which footage was taken and where. In such cases, it would be extremely convenient to view and organize the footage later if a single piece of video data contained both map information and the footage. It would also be extremely convenient if a single piece of video data contained both the footage and location information, even when capturing data from surveillance video cameras installed in multiple locations.

[0003] A similar technology is that of driving recorders, which have begun to be installed in taxis and other vehicles in recent years. Driving recorders automatically determine the timing of shooting and record situation data, including location information, and the shooting data. Because the timing of shooting is determined automatically, in some cases a large amount of unnecessary data is recorded, so technology has been invented to prevent this. For example, in Patent Document 1, a learning function is used to select the data to be recorded, and when shooting, the user inputs necessary / unnecessary information later, and the system learns whether or not shooting is necessary. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2007-11907 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, since the images are taken automatically, it may not be possible to completely adapt the images to the user's needs, and it is not suitable for the user to freely take images of their choice along with map information.

[0006] The present invention A form of was developed in consideration of the above-mentioned problems, and does not require complicated processing. Image capture device capable of outputting user's captured image in association with location information acquired from another device to provide. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] One aspect of the present invention disclosed in this specification is an imaging device comprising: a wireless communication means for wirelessly acquiring, from an external device wirelessly connected to the imaging device, current location information of the external device acquired by the external device and information on a shooting instruction; an imaging means for performing a shooting process based on the information on the shooting instruction acquired by the wireless communication means; a recording means for correlating image data acquired by the imaging means by performing the shooting process based on the information on the shooting instruction with the current location information of the external device acquired by the wireless communication means and recording the associated image data on a recording medium; and a control means for controlling the wireless communication means, the imaging means, and the recording means, When outputting the image data to the outside in an environment where data can be transmitted from the imaging device to the outside, the imaging device has a first control mode in which the image data, which has been acquired by the imaging device by performing a shooting process based on information regarding shooting instructions acquired by the wireless communication device and recorded in association with current location information of the external device, is read from the recording medium and automatically output to the outside, and a second control mode in which the image data, which has been acquired by the imaging device by performing a shooting process based on information regarding shooting instructions acquired by the wireless communication device and recorded in association with current location information of the external device, is read from the recording medium and output to the outside at a timing set by a user. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] The present invention A form of According to It is possible to provide an imaging device that can output an image captured by a user in association with position information acquired from another device. can. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] Configuration diagram of an image recording and playback system according to the first embodiment [Figure 2] Flow diagram of the image recording and playback system according to the first embodiment [Figure 3] Stream data schematic diagram generated by the image recording and playback system of Example 1 [Figure 4] Configuration diagram of an image recording and playback system according to the second embodiment [Figure 5] Flow diagram of the image recording and playback system of the second embodiment [Figure 6] Stream data schematic diagram generated by the image recording and playback system of Example 2 [Figure 7] Configuration diagram of an image recording and playback system according to the third embodiment [Figure 8] Schematic diagram of a system for transferring stream data in a hotspot [Figure 9] Thumbnail display example DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] The best mode for carrying out the present invention will now be described.

[0011] Hereinafter, embodiments of the image recording and reproducing system and method of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. [Example]

[0012] A first embodiment will now be described. In this embodiment, the operation from when a user issues a shooting instruction to when shooting is actually performed will be described with reference to Figures 1 to 3. Figure 1 illustrates an image recording and playback system in a first embodiment of the present invention, in which a video camera 1 includes an operation input unit 11, such as a button or a touch panel, through which a user directly inputs various instructions including a shooting instruction, a control unit 12 that controls each unit related to shooting, a shot image input unit 13 that inputs an image to be shot by the user, digitizes it, and outputs shot image data, an external image input unit 14 that inputs video from a navigation system 2 described below, an image input arbitration unit 15 that arbitrates the order of the shot image data input from the shot image input unit 13 and the navigation image data input from the external image input unit 14, and outputs it, an image memory unit 16 that temporarily stores data output from the image input arbitration unit 15, an image memory unit 17 that temporarily stores data output from the image input arbitration unit 15, an image memory unit 18 that temporarily stores data output from the image input arbitration unit 15, an image memory unit 19 that temporarily stores data output from the image input arbitration unit 15, an image memory unit 20 that temporarily stores data output from the image input arbitration unit 15, an image memory unit 21 that temporarily stores data output from the image input arbitration unit 15, an image memory unit 22 that temporarily stores data output from the image input arbitration unit 15, an image memory unit 23 that temporarily stores data output from the image input arbitration unit 15, an image memory 24 that temporarily stores data output from the image input arbitration unit 15, an image memory 25 that temporarily stores data output from the image input arbitration unit 15, an image memory 26 that temporarily stores data output from the image input arbitration unit 15, an image memory 27 that temporarily stores data output from the image input arbitration unit 15, an image memory 28 that temporarily stores data output from the image input arbitration unit 15, an image The video camera 1 includes an image encoding unit 17 that reads image data from the image capture unit 16, compresses and encodes the image using a method such as MPEG2 or H.264, and outputs the encoded image data; an audio input unit 18 that inputs audio from the subject being photographed by the user, digitizes the audio, and outputs the audio data; an audio encoding unit 19 that compresses the audio data output by the audio input unit 18 using a method such as AC3 or Dolby Digital and outputs the encoded audio data; a data generating unit 1A that multiplexes the encoded image data and the encoded audio data and outputs stream data; a data recording unit 1B that records the stream data on a recording medium (described below); and a recording medium 1C such as a DVD, Blu-ray (registered trademark), hard disk, or semiconductor memory. The video camera 1 is connected to a navigation system 2 via an AV cable 3. The navigation system 2 has a navigation system main unit 21 and a navigation display unit 22. The navigation system main unit 21 has a navigation image output unit 211 that outputs navigation images. The navigation system 211 not only constantly outputs video signals to the navigation display unit 22, but also outputs signals to the AV cable 3 connected to an external video terminal (not shown).

[0013] FIG. 2 shows the operation flow of each part in the first embodiment.

[0014] The shooting procedure in the image recording and playback system of the first embodiment will be described. The user issues a shooting instruction to the operation input unit 11 using buttons or switches on the video camera 1. The operation input unit 11 issues a shooting start instruction to the control unit 12. The control unit 12 issues a start instruction to the captured image input unit 13, the audio input unit 18, and the external image input unit 14. In response to the start instruction, the external image input unit 14 receives a video signal that is constantly being output from an external video terminal of the navigation system 2 or the like via the AV cable 3, generates navigation image data, and outputs it to the image input arbitration unit 15. The captured image input unit 13 inputs an image of the subject that the user is shooting, digitizes it to generate captured image data, and outputs it to the image input arbitration unit 15. The audio input unit 18 inputs the audio of the subject that the user is shooting, digitizes it to generate audio data, and outputs it to the audio encoding unit 19. The navigation image data and captured image data input to the image input arbitration unit 15 are temporarily stored in an area of ​​the image memory 16, which is determined to be encoded in this order. That is, the navigation image data is temporarily stored in one area of ​​the image memory unit 16, from which the downstream image encoding unit 17 reads when processing the first frame of image data, and the captured image data is temporarily stored in another area of ​​the image memory unit 16, from which it reads when processing the second and subsequent frames of image data. The navigation image data and the captured image data temporarily stored in the image memory unit 16 are read out as image data to the image encoding unit 17 in this order. The image encoding unit 17 compresses and encodes the image data. Here, the image encoding unit 17 compresses and encodes the navigation image data, which is the first image, as an I-picture of H.264, by compressing and encoding only data within one frame. The captured image data following the navigation image data is similarly compressed and encoded as an I-picture, by compressing and encoding the image data for the first frame of the captured image data. The subsequent images are compressed and encoded, for example, as P-pictures or B-pictures predicted from previous or subsequent images, or as I-pictures compressed and encoded only data within one frame, or as a mixture of these, to generate encoded image data, which is output to the data generating unit 1A.In addition, to bring the compression and encoding process closer to real-time operation, the image encoding unit 17 changes the processing speed, for example, by reducing the amount of code and easing processing by using coarser quantization or temporarily increasing the clock frequency. Meanwhile, the audio encoding unit 19 compresses and encodes the audio data input thereto to generate encoded audio data, which is then output to the data generation unit 1A. The data generation unit 1A multiplexes the encoded image data and the encoded audio data to generate video stream data. An example of the stream data is shown in FIG. 3. In FIG. 3, the stream data is shown from top to bottom in the order of the images that have been decoded and expanded. The first image shows a navigation screen, compressed and encoded as an I-picture and multiplexed so that no audio data is present. The second, third, and fourth images show captured image data, compressed and encoded as an I-picture, the third as a B-picture, and the fourth as a P-picture, and the audio data is multiplexed using the encoded audio data. The stream data generated by the data generation unit 1A is output to the data recording unit 1B, which then records the stream data on a recording medium 1C.

[0015] In order to play back the stream data recorded in this manner on the video camera 1, a picture analysis unit (not shown) is provided that analyzes the picture type of the stream data. If the stream data contains two or more consecutive I-pictures, the first I-picture is output to the display unit (not shown) of the video camera 1, and the same image is displayed for a predetermined period of time, after which the next I-picture is output to the display unit. If the subsequent pictures are not I-pictures, they are output one after another to the display unit, as in the playback of normal video data. Note that, in the case of stream data containing two or more consecutive I-pictures, the first I-picture is output to the display unit (not shown) of the video camera 1, and the same image is displayed for a predetermined period of time, but the next image may also be displayed based on a user operation, such as displaying the same image until the user presses a play button.

[0016] Furthermore, in a video compression / encoding method that has a mechanism for embedding data for stopping stream playback within a stream, such as the Still command of the DVD-Video standard, it is possible to make the data compatible with playback on devices other than the video camera 1 by, for example, dividing VOBUs (Video Object Units) into pictures for the navigation screen and pictures of captured images from the second screen onwards, and inserting a VOBU Still command in the data generation unit 1A.

[0017] As described above, in addition to the means for inputting normal captured images into the video camera, a means for inputting images from another video input source is provided, and an image input arbitration unit is further provided that arbitrates and imports the video data from these two input means and stores it in memory, and the above-mentioned other video input source is used as the video output terminal of the car navigation system, so that the car navigation screen (map information) and images captured by the user can be imported into memory together.By compressing and encoding the data in this memory as a moving image, it is possible to achieve the effect of processing the map information and the user's captured images as a single moving image.

[0018] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the navigation system 2 is connected to the outside of the video camera 1, but the same effect can be obtained even if the video camera 1 and the navigation system 2 are integrated into one device.

[0019] The stream data recorded on the recording medium 1C may also be automatically transferred to a server on a network via a wireless LAN environment (hotspot) installed around town. Figure 8 shows a schematic diagram of a system for transferring the stream data to a server in a hotspot environment. The video camera 1 has a data reading unit 1E that reads the stream data from the recording medium 1C, and a wireless communication unit 1F that wirelessly transmits the stream data to a network 4. The stream data output from the wireless communication unit 1F is transferred to a server 5 connected to the network 4.

[0020] In this embodiment, the data generating unit 1A simply generates stream data. However, it may also receive current location information from the navigation system 2 separately from the navigation image data, generate stream data associated with the current location information, output the stream data to the data recording unit 1B, and record it on the recording medium 1C. In this case, when generating a thumbnail screen of the stream data recorded on the recording medium 1C, the current location information may be used as a clue to combine it with a map screen to create a thumbnail display screen, as shown in FIG. 9. In the example of FIG. 9, a circle indicates a position on the map corresponding to the location information associated with the stream data, and the first image captured by the stream data is displayed in association with the circle. Furthermore, when the video camera 1 has multiple recording media, such as a hard disk and a DVD, the video camera 1 records data on the hard disk during normal use, and the user selects, edits, and records the stream data on a DVD, a title screen like the one shown in FIG. 9 may be automatically created and recorded on the DVD.

[0021] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the user operates buttons and switches on the video camera 1 to issue shooting instructions from the operation input unit 11, but the navigation system 2 and video camera 1 may be provided with communication means such as USB, Bluetooth, or wireless LAN, and the user may set the location where he or she wishes to shoot in the navigation system 2 in advance. When the user moves to the set location, the navigation system 2 outputs a shooting instruction to the operation input unit 11 of the video camera 1, and the operation input unit 11 outputs a shooting start instruction to the control unit 12, thereby starting shooting.

[0022] Furthermore, by replacing the navigation system 2 and AV cable 3 with a medium on which map image data is stored in advance, such as a USB flash memory or an SD card, and a reading device that reads the map image data from the medium, and by transferring data to a server on a network in a hotspot environment as shown in Fig. 8, and by providing a sending means that reads compressed image data recorded on the recording medium, packetizes the compressed image data at a predetermined timing set by the user, and sends it to the network, the same effect can be obtained even in video cameras installed in multiple locations for surveillance purposes, etc. In this case, the wireless communication unit 1F may be replaced with a function for communicating via a wired LAN. [Example]

[0023] A second embodiment will now be described. Fig. 4 illustrates an image recording and reproducing system according to a second embodiment of the present invention. The configuration of this embodiment differs from that of the first embodiment in that, in addition to the configuration of Fig. 1, video camera 1 further includes an external audio input unit 181 that receives audio from navigation system 2, an audio input arbitration unit 182 that arbitrates the order of audio data input from audio input unit 18 and navigation audio data input from external audio input unit 181 and outputs the data, an audio memory unit 183 that temporarily stores data output from audio input arbitration unit 182, and an audio activation unit 1D that transmits an audio activation instruction to navigation system 2 via, for example, infrared communication to activate audio, and in that navigation main unit 21 of navigation system 2 further includes, in addition to the configuration of Fig. 1, a navigation audio activation unit 213 that receives an audio activation instruction from audio activation unit 1D of video camera 1 via, for example, infrared communication, and issues an activation instruction to output navigation audio, and a navigation audio output unit 212 that outputs navigation audio in response to the activation instruction.

[0024] FIG. 5 shows the operation flow of each part in the second embodiment.

[0025] The shooting procedure in the image recording and playback system of the second embodiment will be described. The user issues a shooting instruction to the operation input unit 11 of the video camera 1. This shooting instruction may be, for example, an operation to activate a voice from the navigation system 2 indicating location information, such as pressing the "current location" button on the navigation system. The operation input unit 11 issues a shooting start instruction to the control unit 12. The operation input unit 11 also issues a voice activation instruction to the voice activation unit 1D. The control unit 12 issues activation instructions to the captured image input unit 13, the voice input unit 18, the external image input unit 14, and the external voice input unit 181. In response to the activation instruction, the external image input unit 14 captures a video signal constantly output from the navigation system 2 via an external video terminal or the like, generates navigation image data, and outputs it to the image input arbitration unit 15. The navigation image data in this case is data of one or more pictures for a certain period of time set in advance by the user, etc. The captured image input unit 13 inputs an image of the subject that the user wants to shoot, digitizes it, generates captured image data, and outputs it to the image input arbitration unit 15. Meanwhile, in response to a voice activation instruction issued to the voice activation unit 1D by the operation input unit 11, the voice activation unit 1D issues a voice activation instruction to the navigation voice activation unit 213 of the navigation system 2 via infrared communication or the like. This voice activation instruction may be output from the voice activation unit in the same form as a signal output to the navigation system 2 from a remote control (not shown) attached to the navigation system when a "current location" button or the like is pressed, which is a typical navigation function. Upon receiving the voice activation instruction, the navigation voice activation unit 213 issues an activation instruction to the navigation voice output unit 212. In response to the activation instruction, the navigation voice output unit outputs a voice such as "Your current location is near Yoshida-cho, Totsuka-ku, Yokohama City," and outputs it from an external voice terminal or the like. In response to the activation instruction from the control unit 12, the external voice input unit 181 captures the navigation voice output from the navigation system 2 via an external voice terminal or the like, generates navigation voice data, and outputs it to the voice input arbitration unit 15. In this case, the navigation voice data is data for a certain period of time that is preset by the user or the like. This set time may be the same as the time when the external image input unit 14 captures the image.The audio input unit 18 also inputs audio of the subject being photographed by the user, digitizes it to generate audio data, and outputs it to the audio encoding unit 19. The navigation image data and the photographed image data input to the image input arbitration unit 15 are temporarily stored in areas of the image memory 16, which are determined to be encoded in this order. That is, the navigation image data is temporarily stored in one area of ​​the image memory unit 16, which is read by the subsequent image encoding unit 17 when processing the first image data, and the photographed image data is temporarily stored in another area of ​​the image memory unit 16, which is read when processing the second and subsequent image data. The navigation image data and the photographed image data temporarily stored in the image memory unit 16 are read as image data by the image encoding unit 17 in this order. The image encoding unit 17 compresses and encodes the image data. Here, the image encoding unit 17 compresses and encodes the navigation image data, which is the first image, as only one screen of data, for example, as an I-picture in H.264. The photographed image data following the navigation image data is similarly compressed and encoded as an I-picture, i.e., the first screen's worth of image data of the photographed image data. Subsequent images are compressed and encoded, for example, as P-pictures or B-pictures predicted from previous or subsequent images, or as I-pictures compressed and encoded using only data within one frame, or as a mixture of these, to generate coded image data and output it to the data generator 1A. Meanwhile, the navigation voice data and audio data input to the audio input arbitration unit 182 are temporarily stored in an area of ​​the audio memory 183, which is set to be coded in this order. The navigation voice data and audio data temporarily stored in the audio memory unit 183 are read out in this order as mixed audio data by the audio encoder 19. The mixed audio data input to the audio encoder 19 is compressed and encoded by the audio encoder 19 to generate coded audio data, which is output to the data generator 1A. The data generator 1A multiplexes the coded image data and coded audio data to generate video stream data. An example of the stream data is shown in Figure 6. In Figure 6, the stream data is shown from top to bottom in the order of the images that have been decoded and expanded.The top three images show navigation screens, compressed and encoded as I, B, and P pictures from top to bottom, with the audio data being multiplexed with data corresponding to external audio data from the encoded audio data. The bottom three images show captured image data, compressed and encoded as I, B, and P pictures from the fourth image from the top, with the audio data being multiplexed with data corresponding to the audio data from the encoded audio data. Note that although the top three images in Figure 6 show the same image, they may each be a different navigation image. The stream data generated by data generation unit 1A is output to data recording unit 1B, which records the stream data on recording medium 1C.

[0026] The above process provides the same effects as in the first embodiment.

[0027] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the navigation image data is assumed to be data for a certain period of time set in advance by the user, etc. However, it is also possible to provide communication means such as USB, Bluetooth, or wireless LAN in the navigation 2 and video camera 1, and when the navigation audio ends, the navigation 2 outputs a navigation audio end notification to the external audio input unit 181 of the video camera 1, and the external audio input unit 181 determines the end of the data based on this end notification. [Example]

[0028] A third embodiment will now be described. The difference from the first embodiment is that, whereas in the first embodiment the video camera 1 and the navigation system 2 are connected by an AV cable 3, a C-side wireless communication means 32 is connected to the video camera 1, and an N-side wireless communication means 31 is connected to the navigation system 2. The C-side wireless communication means 32 and the N-side wireless communication means 31 communicate with each other and exchange data using wireless communication protocols such as infrared communication, wireless LAN, or Bluetooth (registered trademark).

[0029] The photographing procedure in the image recording and playback system of the third embodiment is the same as that of the first embodiment, except that, whereas in the first embodiment, the navigation image is exchanged from the navigation image output unit 211 to the external image input unit 14 via an AV cable, the navigation image is exchanged via the N-side wireless communication means 31 and the C-side wireless communication means 32.

[0030] The above process provides the same effects as in the first embodiment. [Explanation of symbols]

[0031] 1 video camera 11 Operation input section 12 Control Unit 13. Photographed image input section 14 External image input unit 15 Image input arbitration unit 16 Image memory section 18 Audio input section 181 External audio input section 182 Voice input arbitration unit 183 Audio memory section 1D voice activation unit 2. Navigation 21 Navigation unit 211 Navigation image output unit 212 Navigation voice output unit 213 Navigation voice activation unit 22 Navigation display 3 AV cable

Claims

1. An imaging device, a wireless communication means for wirelessly acquiring, from an external device connected to the imaging device wirelessly, current location information of the external device acquired by the external device and information related to a shooting instruction; an imaging unit that performs imaging processing based on information about the imaging instruction acquired by the wireless communication unit; a recording means for recording image data acquired by the imaging means by performing an imaging process based on the information relating to the imaging instruction and current location information of the external device acquired by the wireless communication means in association with each other on a recording medium; a control means for controlling the wireless communication means, the imaging means, and the recording means; Equipped with The control means When the image data is output to the outside in an environment where data can be transmitted from the imaging device to the outside, a first control mode in which image data acquired by the imaging means by performing an image capture process based on information relating to an image capture instruction acquired by the wireless communication means and recorded in association with current location information of the external device is read from the recording medium and automatically output to an external device; a second control mode in which image data acquired by the imaging means by performing an image capture process based on information related to an image capture instruction acquired by the wireless communication means and recorded in association with current location information of the external device is read from the recording medium and output to an external device at a timing set by a user; An imaging device comprising:

2. 2. The imaging device according to claim 1, The imaging device is characterized in that the wireless communication means acquires current location information of the external device when acquiring information related to the shooting instruction.

3. 3. The imaging device according to claim 1, In the first control mode, the image capturing apparatus outputs the image data to an external device so as to transfer the image data to a server on a network.

4. 3. The imaging device according to claim 1, In the second control mode, the image data is output to the outside so as to be transferred to a server on a network.

5. 3. The imaging device according to claim 1, In the first control mode, the image data is output to the outside together with a thumbnail of the image data.

6. 3. The imaging device according to claim 1, In the second control mode, the image data is output to the outside together with a thumbnail of the image data.

7. 3. The imaging device according to claim 1, The imaging device is characterized in that the image data is video data.

8. An imaging device, a first wireless communication means for wirelessly acquiring, from an external device wirelessly connected to the imaging device, current location information of the external device acquired by the external device; an imaging unit that performs imaging processing based on information regarding an imaging instruction from the external device that is wirelessly connected to the imaging device; a recording means for recording image data acquired by the imaging means by performing an imaging process based on information relating to the imaging instruction and current location information of the external device acquired by the first wireless communication means in association with each other on a recording medium; a second wireless communication means different from the first wireless communication means, which outputs the image data wirelessly to an external device; a control unit that controls the first wireless communication unit, the second wireless communication unit, the imaging unit, and the recording unit; Equipped with The control means When the image data is output to the outside in an environment where data can be transmitted from the imaging device to the outside via the second wireless communication means, a first control mode in which image data acquired by the imaging means by performing an image capturing process based on the information relating to the image capturing instruction and recorded in association with current position information of the external device is read from the recording medium and automatically output to an external device; a second control mode in which image data acquired by the imaging means by performing an image capturing process based on the information related to the image capturing instruction and recorded in association with current location information of the external device is read from the recording medium and output to an external device at a timing set by a user; An imaging device comprising:

9. 9. The imaging device according to claim 8, The imaging device further comprises acquiring current location information of the external device when acquiring information relating to a shooting instruction from the external device.

10. 10. The imaging device according to claim 8, The imaging device, wherein the second wireless communication means, in the first control mode, outputs the image data to an external device so as to transfer the image data to a server on a network.

11. 10. The imaging device according to claim 8, The imaging device, wherein the second wireless communication means, in the second control mode, outputs the image data to an external device so as to transfer the image data to a server on a network.

12. 10. The imaging device according to claim 8, The imaging device is characterized in that the first wireless communication means is a means for performing Bluetooth communication.

13. 10. The imaging device according to claim 8, The imaging device, wherein the second wireless communication means outputs the image data together with a thumbnail of the image data to an external device in the first control mode and the second control mode.

14. 10. The imaging device according to claim 8, The imaging device is characterized in that the image data is video data.

15. The imaging device according to claim 1, In the first control mode, the imaging device automatically outputs the image data to an external device after performing a photographing process based on information related to a photographing instruction acquired by the wireless communication means.

16. The imaging device according to claim 1, In the first control mode, when information regarding a first photographing instruction is acquired in an environment in which data can be transmitted from the imaging device to an external device, performing a photographing process based on the acquired information regarding the first photographing instruction, and when first image data acquired by the imaging means is recorded on the recording medium in association with current location information of the external device, automatically outputting the first image data associated with the current location information to an external device; An imaging device characterized in that, when information regarding a second shooting instruction different from the first shooting instruction is acquired in an environment in which data can be transmitted from the imaging device to the outside, the imaging device performs a shooting process based on the information regarding the acquired second shooting instruction, and when second image data different from the first image data acquired by the imaging means is recorded in association with current location information of the external device, the second image data associated with the current location information is automatically output to the outside.

17. The imaging device according to claim 1, In the first control mode, the image capturing apparatus automatically outputs the image data to an external device every time a photographing process is performed based on information regarding a photographing instruction acquired by the wireless communication means.

18. The imaging device according to claim 1, In the first control mode, which is different from the second control mode, the image data is automatically output to the outside after a photographing process based on information regarding a photographing instruction acquired by the wireless communication means, unlike the second control mode in which the image data is output to the outside at the user's timing.

Images