Digital Camera Patent AbstractA digital camera of a digital camera system includes an image capture
unit and a storing unit for storing the captured image in a memory.
A computer of the system issues a capture command for capturing
an image by the digital camera or a delete command for deleting
the image stored in the memory. The digital camera generates an
event signal indicating a change in stored content in the memory
by a common sequence when stored content is changed in response
to the capture or delete commands and when the stored content is
changed in response to a digital camera operation. The computer
issues a control command for collecting the stored content by a
common sequence in response to the event signal when the stored
content is changed in response to the capture or delete commands
and when the stored content is changed in response to a digital
camera operation.
Digital Camera Patent ClaimsWhat is claimed is:
1. A digital camera system comprising a digital camera, and a computer
which is connected to said digital camera and which controls said
digital camera, said digital camera having: a capture unit arranged
to capture an image; and an image storing unit arranged to store
the captured image in a memory; said computer having: a command
issuing unit arranged to issue a capture command for capturing an
image by said digital camera or a delete command for deleting the
image stored in said memory; wherein said digital camera generates
an event signal indicating a change in the content stored in said
memory by a common sequence when the content stored in said memory
is changed in response to said capture command or said delete command
and when the content stored in said memory is changed in response
to an operation of said digital camera; and said computer issues
a control command for collecting the content stored in said memory
by a common sequence in response to said event signal when the content
stored in said memory is changed in response to said capture command
or said delete command and when the content stored in said memory
is changed in response to an operation of said digital camera.
2. A digital camera which is connectable to a computer, said digital
camera comprising: a capture unit arranged to capture an image;
an image storing unit arranged to store the captured image in a
memory; a release switch arranged to request a capture to said capture
unit; an operation unit arranged to request deletion of the image
stored in said memory; and a control unit arranged to control said
capture unit or said image storing unit upon receipt of a capture
command or a delete command from a computer connected to said digital
camera; wherein said control unit generates an event signal indicating
a change in the content stored in said memory by a common sequence
when the content stored in said memory is changed in response to
a capture by said release switch or an operation of said operation
unit and when the content stored in said memory is changed in response
to said capture command or said delete command.
3. A method of controlling a computer which is connected to a digital
camera and which controls said digital camera, said method comprising:
a first issuing step of issuing a capture command for capturing
an image by said digital camera or a delete command for deleting
an image stored in a memory of said digital camera; a receiving
step of receiving event information indicating a change in the content
stored in the memory of said digital camera from said digital camera;
and a second issuing step of issuing a control command for collecting
the content stored in said memory by a common sequence when said
event information is issued in relation to a capture or deletion
of image being executed in response to the command issued in said
first issuing step and when said event information is issued in
relation to a capture or deletion of image being executed in response
to an operation of an operation unit of said digital camera.
4. A digital camera which is connectable to a computer, said digital
camera comprising: first transmitting means that transmits event
information relating to an operation executed in said digital camera
to said computer; and second transmitting means that transmits data
having been changed by said operation to said computer; wherein
said first transmitting means transmits common event information
when said operation is initiated by a command from said computer
and when said operation is initiated by an input from an operation
unit of said digital camera.
5. A method of controlling a computer which is connectable to a
digital camera, said method comprising: a first transmitting step
for transmitting a command for executing a predetermined operation
by said digital camera; a receiving step for receiving event information
relating to the operation executed by said digital camera in response
to the command transmitted; and a second transmitting step for transmitting
a processing request to said digital camera in accordance with the
event information received; wherein said second transmitting step
transmits the same processing request when said event information
is generated in relation to said predetermined operation being executed
in response to an input from an operation unit of said digital camera.
6. A control method of controlling a digital camera connectable
to a computer, the control method comprising: a first step of deleting
image data according to a command from the computer; a second step
of deleting image data according to instructions inputted in the
digital camera; and a third step of sending a first event information
to the computer if the first step is performed, and sending a second
event information to the computer if the second step is performed,
wherein the first and second event information include common information,
and the first and second event information are indications that
a predetermined event has occurred in the digital camera.
7. A digital camera which is controlled by a control method according
to claim 6.
8. A control method according to claim 6, wherein the common information
includes an event ID corresponding to the predetermined event occured
in the digital camera.
9. A control method of controlling a digital camera connectable
to a computer, the control method comprising: a first step of changing
a property of image data according to a command from the computer;
a second step of changing a property of image data according to
instructions inputted in the digital camera; and a third step of
sending a first event information to the computer if the first step
is performed, and sending a second event information to the computer
after the second step is performed, wherein the first and second
event information include common information, and the first and
second event information are indications that a predetermined event
has occurred in the digital camera.
10. A digital camera which is controlled by a control method according
to claim 9.
11. A control method according to claim 9, wherein the common information
includes an event ID corresponding to the predetermined event occurred
in the digital camera.
12. A control method of controlling a digital camera connectable
to a computer, the control method comprising: a first step of changing
setting of the digital camera according to a command from the computer;
a second step of changing setting of the digital camera according
to instructions inputted in the digital camera; and a third step
of sending a first event information to the computer if the first
step is performed, and sending a second event information to the
computer if the second step is performed, wherein the first and
second event information include common information, and the first
and second event information are indications that a predetermined
event has occurred in the digital camera.
13. A digital camera which is controlled by a control method according
to claim 12.
14. A control method according to claim 12, wherein the common
information includes an event ID corresponding to the predetermined
event occurred in the digital camera.
15. A control method of controlling a digital camera connectable
to a computer, the control method comprising: a first step of starting
capturing an image according to a command from the computer; a second
step of starting capturing an image according to instructions inputted
in the digital camera; and a third step of sending a first event
information to the computer if the first step is performed, and
of sending a second event information to the computer if the second
step is performed, wherein the first and second event information
include common information, and the first and second event information
are indications that a predetermined event has occurred in the digital
camera.
16. A digital camera which is controlled by a control method according
to claim 15.
17. A control method according to claim 15, wherein the common
information includes an event ID corresponding to the predetermined
event occurred in the digital camera.
18. An apparatus connectable to a computer and capable of operating
as a digital camera, the apparatus comprising: a control unit adapted
to control the apparatus so as to delete image data according to
a command from the computer or instructions inputted in the apparatus,
wherein the control unit is adapted to control the apparatus so
as to send a first event information to the computer if the apparatus
deletes image data according to the command from the computer, and
control the apparatus so as to send a second event information to
the computer if the apparatus deletes image data according to the
instructions inputted in the apparatus, the first and second event
information include common information, and the first and second
event information are indications that a predetermined event has
occurred in the apparatus.
19. An apparatus according to claim 18, wherein the common information
includes an event ID corresponding to the predetermined event occurred
in the apparatus.
20. An apparatus connectable to a computer and capable of operating
as a digital camera, the apparatus comprising: a control unit adapted
to control the apparatus so as to change a property of image data
according to a command from the computer or instructions inputted
in the apparatus, wherein the control unit is adapted to control
the apparatus so as to send a first event information to the computer
if the apparatus changes a property of image data according to the
command from the computer, and control the apparatus so as to send
a second event information to the computer if the apparatus changes
a property of image data according to the instructions inputted
in the apparatus, the first and second event information include
common information, and the first and second event information are
indications that a predetermined event has occurred in the apparatus.
21. An apparatus according to claim 20, wherein the common information
includes an event ID corresponding to the predetermined event occurred
in the apparatus.
22. An apparatus connectable to a computer and capable of operating
as a digital camera, the apparatus comprising: a control unit adapted
to control the apparatus so as to change setting of the apparatus
according to a command from the computer or instructions inputted
in the apparatus, wherein the control unit is adapted to control
the apparatus so as to send a first event information to the computer
if the apparatus changes setting of the apparatus according to the
command from the computer, and control the apparatus so as to send
a second event information to the computer if the apparatus changes
setting of the apparatus according to the instructions inputted
in the apparatus, the first and second event information include
common information, and the first and second event information are
indications that a predetermined event has occurred in the apparatus.
23. An apparatus according to claim 22, wherein the common information
includes an event ID corresponding to the predetermined event occurred
in the apparatus.
24. An apparatus connectable to a computer and capable of operating
as a digital camera, the apparatus comprising: a control unit adapted
to control the apparatus so as to start capturing an image according
to a command from the computer or instructions inputted in the apparatus,
wherein the control unit is adapted to control the apparatus so
as to send a first event information to the computer if the apparatus
starts capturing an image according to the command from the computer,
and control the apparatus so as to send a second event information
to the computer if the apparatus starts capturing an image according
to the instructions inputted in the apparatus, the first and second
event information include common information, and the first and
second event information are indications that a predetermined event
has occurred in the apparatus.
25. An apparatus according to claim 24, wherein the common information
includes an event ID corresponding to the predetermined event occurred
in the apparatus. Digital Camera Patent DescriptionBACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a digital information input system,
and more specifically to a digital information input system including
an input apparatus such as a digital camera for capturing a motion
picture or a still picture, and a personal computer.
2. Description of the Related Art
Hitherto, image data and sound data, etc., captured by a digital
camera have been recorded on a recording device such as a flash
memory incorporated in the digital camera or on a recording medium
detachable from the digital camera.
Also, a system has been proposed and made into commercial products
in which a digital camera and an information processing apparatus
such as a personal computer (hereinafter PC) are connected, for
example, via a cable, so that information such as image data recorded
on an internal recording device of the digital camera or a recording
medium detachable from the digital camera can be transferred to
the PC.
For example, in a system in which a PC and a digital camera are
connected, a list of image data recorded on a recording medium on
the digital camera can be displayed on the PC for the user, so that
an image specified by the user can be transferred and stored or
displayed on the PC.
In another system, by an operation of an input apparatus such as
a digital camera connected to a PC, image information is recorded
in the input apparatus, and the image information which has been
recorded is then transferred and stored or displayed on the PC.
Furthermore, in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2000-137796 by the
assignee of this application, a system is proposed in which an input
apparatus is connected to a PC so that image information which has
been captured can be directly transferred to the PC without storing
the image information in the input apparatus.
In the conventional systems in which a digital camera is connected
to a PC, however, the input apparatus such as the digital camera
typically has an operation unit for switching to a PC connection
mode, so that the user uses the digital camera in connection with
the PC after entering the PC connection mode by operating the operation
unit, allowing operation only from the PC while prohibiting operation
of the input apparatus when the connection is on. Even if the operation
unit for entering the PC connection mode is not provided on the
input apparatus, upon a connection being made between the PC and
the input apparatus, for example, via a cable, operation of the
input apparatus has typically been prohibited while allowing operation
only from the PC.
This is primarily because it is difficult to maintain data consistency
between the input apparatus such as a digital camera and an application
software on the PC when a change is made to information in the input
apparatus by an operation of the input apparatus while the information
in the input apparatus is being referenced or used by the PC.
Furthermore, even if a system allows capturing of an image both
from a PC and an information input apparatus such as a camera connected
to the PC, because the capture sequence initiated by the PC and
the capture sequence initiated by the camera have been different,
the load of an application software on the PC has been large, and
it has been difficult to equivalently handle, for example, the process
of transferring a captured image directly to the PC without recording
the image on a recording medium such as a flash memory on the camera.
That is, in a system in which an input apparatus is connected to
a PC, the user suffers from increased system restrictions compared
to the case where the input apparatus is individually alone.
As communications go increasingly wireless, it is desired that
the user be allowed to exchange information transparently between
an information processing apparatus such as a PC and an information
input apparatus such as a digital camera.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide
an information input system, a digital camera system, and a controlling
method therefor which overcomes the problems described above.
It is another object of the present invention to provide an information
input system, a digital camera system, and a controlling method
therefor which achieves, when an information processing apparatus
such as a PC and an input apparatus such as a digital camera are
connected (either connected physically via a cable or connected
logically, for example, by wireless), an environment equivalent
or superior to that in the case where the input apparatus is used
alone. That is, the environment does not impose any restrictions
on operations either from the PC or from the input apparatus for
referencing or using information in the input apparatus or for operation
and control of the input apparatus, such as capturing an image.
To these ends, according to one aspect of the present invention,
a digital camera system including a digital camera, and a computer
which is connected to the digital camera and which controls the
digital camera, is provided. The digital camera has a capture unit
arranged to capture an image and an image storing unit arranged
to store the captured image in a memory. The computer has a command
issuing unit arranged to issue a capture command for capturing an
image by the digital camera or a delete command for deleting the
image stored in the memory. In the digital camera system, the digital
camera generates an event signal indicating a change in the content
stored in the memory by a common sequence when the content stored
in the memory is changed in response to the capture command or the
delete command and when the content stored in the memory is changed
in response to an operation of the digital camera. The computer
issues a control command for collecting the content stored in the
memory by a common sequence in response to the event signal when
the content stored in the memory is changed in response to the capture
command or the delete command and when the content stored in the
memory is changed in response to an operation of the digital camera.
According to another aspect of the present invention, a digital
camera which is connectable to a computer is provided. The digital
camera includes a capture unit arranged to capture an image; an
image storing unit arranged to store the captured image in a memory;
a release switch arranged to request a capture to the capture unit;
an operation unit arranged to request deletion of the image stored
in the memory; and a control unit arranged to control the capture
unit or the image storing unit upon receipt of a capture command
or a delete command from a computer connected to the digital camera.
The control unit generates an event signal indicating a change in
the content stored in the memory by a common sequence when the content
stored in the memory is changed in response to a capture by the
release switch or an operation of the operation unit and when the
content stored in the memory is changed in response to the capture
command or the delete command.
According to still another aspect of the present invention, a method
of controlling a computer which is connected to a digital camera
and which controls the digital camera is provided. The method includes
a first issuing step of issuing a capture command for capturing
an image by the digital camera or a delete command for deleting
an image stored in a memory of the digital camera; a receiving step
of receiving event information indicating a change in the content
stored in the memory of the digital camera from the digital camera;
and a second issuing step of issuing a control command for collecting
the content stored in the memory by a common sequence when the event
information is issued in relation to a capture or deletion of image
being executed in response to the command issued in the first issuing
step and when the event information is issued in relation to a capture
or deletion of image being executed in response to an operation
of an operation unit of the digital camera.
According to yet another aspect of the present invention, an image
processing system including an image information generating apparatus
and an information processing apparatus for processing image information
from the image information generating apparatus is provided. The
image information generating apparatus includes an event information
transmitting unit arranged to transmit event information indicating
the type of a process executed in the image information generating
apparatus. The information processing apparatus includes a processing
request transmitting unit arranged to transmit a processing request
to the image information generating apparatus in accordance with
the event information transmitted from the event information transmitting
unit.
The event information may include information indicating a change
in an image stored in the image information generating apparatus,
and the processing request may include a request for the image stored
in the image information generating apparatus.
The image information generating apparatus may be a digital camera
for capturing and storing an image.
According to a further aspect of the present invention, a digital
camera which is connectable to a computer is provided. The digital
camera includes a first transmitting unit that transmits event information
relating to an operation executed in the digital camera to the computer;
and a second transmitting unit that transmits data having been changed
by the operation to the computer. The first transmitting unit transmits
common event information when the operation is initiated by a command
from the computer and when the operation is initiated by an input
from an operation unit of the digital camera.
According to a still further aspect of the present invention, a
method of controlling a computer which is connectable to a digital
camera is provided. The method includes a first transmitting step
for transmitting a command for executing a predetermined operation
by the digital camera; a receiving step for receiving event information
relating to the operation executed by the digital camera in response
to the command transmitted; and a second transmitting step for transmitting
a processing request to the digital camera in accordance with the
event information received. The second transmitting step transmits
the same processing request when the event information is generated
in relation to the predetermined operation being executed in response
to an input from an operation unit of the digital camera.
In accordance with the above, in a digital information system such
as a digital camera system primarily for capturing a motion picture
or a still picture, in particular, when a system including a processing
apparatus such as a PC (personal computer) and an input apparatus
such as a digital camera is implemented, restrictions associated
with the connection between the processing apparatus and the input
apparatus can be minimized. Accordingly, input and display of data,
such as an image, by manipulating the digital camera from an application
software on the PC, and input and display of data to the application
software on the PC by a user's operation of the digital camera,
can be seamlessly handled.
Furthermore, a system with improved usability, in which consistency
between data in the camera and data in the PC can be maintained
relatively easily, can be readily developed. In addition, the operation
process, the display process, etc. can be individually set, allowing
flexible system configuration for operation of input apparatus and
usage of data in wireless communications and Internet connection
environments expected to come.
Furthermore, it is to be understood that the objects of the present
invention will also be achieved by supplying a storage medium on
which the program code of software implementing the functionality
of the above-described embodiments to a system or an apparatus,
so that a computer (or a CPU or a MPU) in the system or the apparatus
reads the program code stored in the storage medium to execute the
program.
The storage medium for supplying the program code may be, for example,
a floppy disk, a hard disk, an optical disk, a magneto-optical disk,
a CD-ROM, a CD-R, a magnetic tape, a non-volatile memory card, a
ROM, an EEPROM.
Furthermore, it will also be understood that as well as the functionality
of the above-described embodiments may be implemented by the computer
executing the program code, the functionality of the above-described
embodiments may also be implemented by processes according to the
program code being executed partially or entirely by an OS (operating
system) which runs on the computer.
Furthermore, the advantages of the present invention can also be
achieved by downloading a software program for implementing the
present invention from a database on a network to a system or an
apparatus by using a communications program.
Further objects, features and advantages of the present invention
will become apparent from the following description of the preferred
embodiments with reference to the attached drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a digital camera system according
to a first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing the connection in the digital
camera system.
FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a process for deleting image data
in the digital camera by an operation of the application software
on the PC shown in FIG. 2.
FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the contents of events.
FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a process for deleting image data
in the digital camera by an operation of the digital camera.
FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a process for changing the property
of the image data in the digital camera by an operation of the application
software on the PC.
FIGS. 7A, 7B, and 7C are schematic diagrams showing Release Event
Param structures.
FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a process for changing the property
information of the image data in the digital camera by an operation
of the digital camera shown in FIG. 2.
FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram of a second embodiment of the present
invention.
FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a process for changing the capture
setting in the digital camera by an operation of the application
software shown in FIG. 9.
FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a process for changing a capture setting
parameter in the digital camera by an operation of the digital camera
shown in FIG. 9.
FIG. 12 is a diagram showing the capture setting parameters.
FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a process for changing the capture
setting data in the digital camera by an operation of the application
software on the PC.
FIG. 14 is a diagram showing a process for changing the capture
setting data in the digital camera by an operation of the user interface
(UI) of the digital camera.
FIG. 15 is a diagram showing a process for changing the capture
setting data in the digital camera by an operation of the application
software on the PC.
FIG. 16 is a diagram showing a process for changing the capture
setting data in the digital camera by an operation of the UI of
the digital camera.
FIG. 17 is a schematic diagram of a third embodiment of the present
invention.
FIG. 18 is a flowchart showing a processing sequence for remotely
capturing an image by an operation of the application software on
the PC.
FIGS. 19A and 19B are schematic diagrams showing parameters of
event generation commands.
FIGS. 20A and 20B are schematic diagrams of Event Table.
FIG. 21 is a flowchart showing a setting of a capture event.
FIG. 22 is an illustration showing a message notifying a cancel
of a capture.
FIG. 23 is a flowchart showing a process for deleting image data
on a DRAM.
FIG. 24 is a flowchart showing a release operation initiated by
an operation of the digital camera.
FIG. 25 is a diagram showing an example in which control process
and display process are made independent of each other.
FIGS. 26A and 26B are schematic diagrams showing examples in which
control process and display process are distributed on a plurality
of PCs.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
Digital camera systems according to embodiments of the present
invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying
drawings.
FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a digital camera system according
to a first embodiment of the present invention.
The digital camera system according to the first embodiment generally
includes an information input apparatus 100 such as a digital camera
(hereinafter digital camera 100), and an information processing
apparatus 101. The information processing apparatus is typically
a computer (hereinafter PC) which includes, although not shown,
a computing device (CPU), a primary storage device (RAM), a secondary
storage device (hard disk), operation devices (a keyboard and a
mouse), a display device, etc.
The digital camera 100 includes an optical unit including a lens,
a CCD, a driving circuit, etc.; a signal processing circuit 104
for processing image data, etc.; a computing device 103 such as
a CPU; a primary storage device 106 such as a DRAM; a secondary
storage device 107 such as an internal flash ROM; an operation member
108; a display device 109 such as an LCD; a read-only memory (ROM)
110 for storing programs, etc.; a detachable recording medium 111
such as a compact flash memory card; and a communications controlling
device 102 for controlling communications with the PC 101.
Depending on the type of digital camera, the arrangement may be
such that only one of the detachable recording medium 111 and the
undetachable secondary storage device 107 is used.
FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing the connection status in
the digital camera system. Digital camera 201 is constructed identically
to the information input apparatus 100 shown in FIG. 1, and reference
numeral 202 denotes a screen of an application software program
which runs on a PC connected to the digital camera 201 via a USB
(Universal Serial Bus) cable.
When the digital camera 201 is connected to the PC via the USB
cable, the application software is activated on the PC, so that
image data recorded in the secondary storage device 107 or the detachable
recording medium 111 is transferred to the PC and a thumbnail thereof
is displayed. That is, the application software 202 manages the
display by referencing data stored within the digital camera 201
connected to the PC, updating the display when a change has been
made to the data stored within the digital camera 201.
FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a process for deleting image data
in the digital camera 201 by an operation of the application software
202 on the PC shown in FIG. 2.
Referring to FIG. 3, first, by an operation of the application
software 202, data specifying an image to be deleted and an image
delete command are transmitted to the digital camera 201 (step S301).
In response to the command, the digital camera 201 deletes the specified
image data (step S302). Then, the digital camera 201 issues an Update
event to the PC, indicating that a change has been made in the image
data in the digital camera 201 (step S303).
FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the contents of events.
As shown in FIG. 4, each of the events is constituted of an Event_ID
and an associated parameter. In this example, an event indicating
an update of data in the compact flash (CF) card, as shown in (1)
of FIG. 4, is issued and sent to the PC. In response to the event,
the application software on the PC sends a command to the digital
camera 201 for recollecting data in the digital camera 201 (step
S304).
In this example, as shown in (1) of FIG. 4, the event does not
include any parameter information. Thus, the application software
on the PC is allowed only to know that a change has been made to
the image data in the digital camera 201, but is not allowed to
know which information in the digital camera 201 has been updated.
Thus, the application software on the PC sends the command to the
digital camera 201 for recollecting the image data within the camera
(step S304), and in response to the command, the digital camera
201 collects the data and transmits the data to the PC (step S305).
The application software on the PC updates the display based on
the data received (step S306).
By using the event, the application software on the PC is not required
to branch to different processes by determining which information
in the digital camera 201 has been changed (e.g., an image deleted,
the property information of an image changed, etc.), and the application
software on the PC only has to execute the same process for any
type of change. Thus, the process by the application software can
be simplified.
FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a process for deleting image data
in the digital camera 201 by an operation of the digital camera
shown in FIG. 2.
First, using the user interface (hereinafter UI) of the digital
camera 201, including an operation unit and a display screen, specified
image data in the digital camera 201 is deleted (step S501). Then,
the digital camera 201 issues an Update event to the PC, indicating
that a change has been made in the image data in the digital camera
201 (step S502). The event is the one described earlier with reference
to (1) of FIG. 4, which notifies the PC that a change has been made
in the image data stored in the digital camera 201.
In response to the event, the application software on the PC sends
a command to the digital camera 201 for recollecting the image data
in the digital camera 201 (step S503). In response to the command,
the digital camera 201 collects the data and transmits the data
to the PC (step S504). The application software on the PC receives
the data and updates the display based thereon (step S505).
According to this embodiment, as described above, the process 1
for deleting an image in the digital camera 201 by an operation
of the application software on the PC (steps S303 to S306 shown
in FIG. 3) and the process 1 for deleting an image in the digital
camera 201 by an operation of the digital camera 201 (steps S502
to 505 shown in FIG. 5) are the same.
Thus, when the image data in the digital camera 201 is being referenced
by the application software on the PC, the same process is executed
whether the data in the digital camera 201 is manipulated by an
operation of the application software on the PC or the data in the
digital camera 201 is manipulated by an operation of the digital
camera 201, readily achieving consistency between the data in the
digital camera 201 and the display by the application software on
the PC.
Alternatively, an event which is generated in response to a change
in the image data on the digital camera 201 may be as shown in (2)
of FIG. 4. In this case, as opposed to the example described above,
information indicating what kind of change has been made to the
image data in the digital camera 201 is included in a parameter.
The Event_ID indicates a change in the property of a file, and the
parameter specifies the file which has been changed. The below describes
an example in which the property of the image data in the digital
camera 201 is changed using the event.
FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a process for changing the image data
in the digital camera 201 by an operation of the application software
on the PC.
First, by operating the application software on the PC, data specifying
an image for which the property is to be changed and an image data
property change command are issued to the digital camera 201 (step
S601). In response to the command, the digital camera 201 changes
the property (e.g., write protect property) of the specified image
data in the digital camera 201 (step S602). Then, a property change
event indicating a change in the property of the image data in the
digital camera 201, with a parameter indicating the file path of
the image data which has been changed, is transmitted to the PC
(step S603). Upon receiving the event and the parameter, the application
software on the PC identifies the image data which has been changed
based on the parameter, and issues a command for obtaining the property
information thereof from the digital camera 201 (step S604). In
response to the command, the digital camera 201 transmits the property
information of the specified image data to the PC (step S605). Upon
receiving the property data, the application software on the PC
updates previous property information stored therein with the new
property information received, and also updates the display as required.
FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a process for changing the property
information of the image data in the digital camera 201 by an operation
of the digital camera 201 shown in FIG. 2.
First, by an operation of the UI of the digital camera 201, the
property information of specified image data in the digital camera
201 is changed (step S801). Then, a property change event indicating
a change in the property of the image data in the digital camera
201, with a parameter indicating the file path of the image data
which has been changed, is transmitted to the PC (step S802). Upon
receiving the event and the parameter, the application software
on the PC identifies the image file which has been changed based
on the parameter, and issues a command for obtaining the property
information thereof from the digital camera 201 (step S803). In
response to the command, the digital camera 201 transmits the property
information of the specified image data to the PC (step S804). Upon
receiving the property data, the application software on the PC
updates the previous property information stored therein with the
new property information received, and also updates the display
as required.
Also in this example, the process 2 shown in FIG. 6 (steps S603
to S606) and the process 2 shown in FIG. 8 (steps S802 to S805)
are the same. That is, a change to the property information of image
data can be handled by the same processing flow whether the change
is initiated by the application software on the PC or from the UI
of the digital camera, thus reducing the load of the application
software. Furthermore, in this example, although the process is
rather complex because the application software recognizes what
kind of change has been made to the image data in the digital camera
201, obtains only the information which has been changed, and updates
the information, the performance of the system is improved.
Furthermore, instead of changing the property of the image data,
for example, an addition of an image can be similarly executed by
letting the digital camera 201 generate a similar event and parameter
as shown in (3) of FIG. 4.
Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described.
FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram of the present invention.
Referring to FIG. 9, 901 is a digital camera which is an information
input apparatus identical to the one in the first embodiment. Reference
numeral 902 denotes an application software which runs on a PC connected
to the digital camera 901 via a USB cable. According to this model,
when the digital camera 901 is connected to the PC via the USB cable,
the application software is activated on the PC, so that various
capture setting parameters are retrieved and displayed. In this
state, when a change is made to the capture setting by an operation
of the UI of the digital camera 901, or when the capture setting
in the digital camera 901 is changed by an operation of the application
software on the PC, the display screen of the application software
is updated in accordance therewith.
FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a process for changing the capture
setting in the digital camera 901 by an operation of the application
software 902 shown in FIG. 9.
First, by an operation of the application software 902, a capture
setting change command including a parameter indicating the content
of the change is issued to the digital camera 901 (step S1001).
In response to the command, the digital camera 901 changes the capture
setting as specified (step S1002). Then, the digital camera 901
issues a Change Release Param event to the PC, indicating a change
in the capture setting in the digital camera 901 (step S1003). In
a manner similar to the one described earlier, the Change Release
Param event also has an Event_ID and an associated parameter. In
this example, the event shown in (4) of FIG. 4 is generated and
transmitted to the PC. In response to the event, the application
software on the PC sends a command to the digital camera 901 for
obtaining the capture setting parameters in the digital camera 901.
As shown in (4) of FIG. 4, the event does not include any parameter
information. Thus, the application software on the PC is allowed
only to know that a change has been made to at least one of the
capture setting parameters (see FIG. 12) in the digital camera 901,
but is not allowed to know which of the capture setting parameters
in the digital camera 901 has been changed. Thus, the application
software on the PC issues a command to the digital camera 901 for
reobtaining the capture setting parameter set in the digital camera
901 (step S1004). In response to the command, the digital camera
901 transmits the new capture setting parameter set to the PC (step
S1005). The application software on the PC updates the display based
on the new capture setting parameters received (step S1006).
By using the event, the application software on the PC is not required
to branch to different processes by determining which of the capture
setting parameters in the digital camera 201 has been changed, and
the application software on the PC only has to execute the same
process regardless of which of the capture setting parameters has
been changed. Thus, the process by the application software can
be simplified. Furthermore, even if a plurality of the capture setting
parameters are changed simultaneously, the updated information in
the digital camera 901 can be reflected on the application software
on the PC by a single process.
FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a process for changing the capture
setting parameters by an operation of the digital camera 901 shown
in FIG. 9.
First, by an operation of the UI of the digital camera 901, a change
is made to the capture setting of the digital camera 901 (step S1101).
Then, the digital camera 901 issues a Change Release Param event
to the PC, indicating that a change has been made in the capture
setting in the digital camera 901 (step S1102). In a manner similar
to the one described earlier, the Change Release Param event also
has an Event_ID and an associated parameter. Also in this example,
the event shown in (4) of FIG. 4 is generated and transmitted to
the PC. In response to the event, the application software on the
PC issues a command to the digital camera 901 for obtaining the
capture setting parameters in the digital camera 901. As shown in
(4) of FIG. 4, the event does not include any parameter information.
Thus, the application software on the PC is not allowed to know
which of the capture setting parameters in the digital camera 901
has been changed.
FIG. 12 is a diagram showing the capture setting parameters.
As shown in FIG. 12, various capture setting parameters are provided
in the digital camera 901, and the application software on the PC
is allowed only to know that a change has been made to at least
one of the capture setting parameters. Thus, the application software
on the PC sends a command to the digital camera 901 for reobtaining
the capture setting parameter set in the digital camera 901 (step
S1103). In response to the command, the digital camera 901 transmits
the new capture setting parameter set to the PC (step S1104). The
application software on the PC updates the display based on the
new capture setting parameter set received (step S1105).
Also in this example, the process 3 shown in FIG. 10 (steps S1003
to S1006) and the process 3 shown in FIG. 11 (steps S1102 to S1105)
are the same. That is, a change to the capture setting of the digital
camera 901 can be handled by the same process whether the change
is initiated by the application software on the PC or by the UI
of the digital camera 901, thus reducing the load of the application
software.
Furthermore, also in this example, an event which is issued in
response to a change in the capture setting parameters in the digital
camera 901 may be the one shown in (5) of FIG. 4. In this case,
as opposed to the example above, a parameter indicating which of
the capture setting parameters in the digital camera 901 has been
changed is included in the event. The below describes an example
in which a change is made to the capture setting parameters in the
digital camera 901 using the event.
FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a process for changing the capture
setting data in the digital camera 901 by an operation of the application
software on the PC.
First, by an operation of the application software on the PC, a
capture setting parameter change command including a parameter indicating
the content of the change is issued to the digital camera 901 (step
S1301). In response to the command, the digital camera 901 changes
the capture setting (e.g., Tv value shown in FIG. 12) stored therein
(step S1302). Then, a Change Release Param event with a parameter
indicating the parameter which has been changed (Tv value in the
case of (5) in FIG. 4), indicating a change to the capture setting
in the digital camera 901, is transmitted to the PC (step S1303).
Upon receiving the command and the parameter, the application software
on the PC identifies the capture setting parameter which has been
changed based on the parameter, and issues a command for obtaining
the capture setting parameter from the digital camera 901 (step
S1304). In response to the command, the digital camera 901 transmits
the specified capture setting parameter to the PC (step S1305).
The application software on the PC updates the previous capture
setting parameter data stored therein with the new capture setting
parameter data received, and also updates the display as required.
FIG. 14 is a diagram showing a process for changing the capture
setting data in the digital camera 901 by an operation of the UI
of the digital camera 901.
First, by an operation of the UI of the digital camera 901, the
capture setting (e.g., Tv value in FIG. 12) stored in the digital
camera 901 is changed (step S1401). Then, a Change Release Param
event indicating a change in the capture setting in the digital
camera 901, with a parameter identifying the capture setting parameter
which has been changed (Tv value in the case of (5) in FIG. 4),
is transmitted to the PC (step S1402). Upon receiving the event
and the parameter, the application software on the PC identifies
the capture setting parameter which has been changed based on the
parameter, and issues a command for obtaining the capture setting
parameter from the digital camera 901 (step S1403). In response
to the command, the digital camera 901 transmits the specified capture
setting parameter to the PC (step S1404). The application software
on the PC updates the previous capture setting parameter data stored
therein with the new capture setting parameter data received, and
also updates the display as required (step S1405).
Also in this example, the process 4 shown in FIG. 13 (steps S1303
to 1306) and the process 4 shown in FIG. 14 (steps S1402 to S1405)
are the same. That is, a change to the capture setting can be handled
by the same process whether the change is initiated by the application
software on the PC or by the UI of the digital camera 901, thus
reducing the load of the application software. Furthermore, in this
example compared to the example described earlier, although the
process is rather complex because the application software must
identify the capture setting parameter in the digital camera 901
which has been changed, obtain only the parameter changed, and updates
the parameter changed, the performance of the system is improved.
Alternatively, an event which is issued in response to a change
in the capture setting parameters in the digital camera 901 may
be the one shown in (6) of FIG. 4. In this case, as opposed to the
example described earlier, a parameter indicating which of the capture
setting parameters in the digital camera 901 has been changed and
also indicating the updated value are included in the event. The
following describes an example in which a change is made to the
capture setting parameters in the digital camera 901 using the event.
FIG. 15 is a diagram showing a process for changing the capture
setting parameters in the digital camera 901 by an operation of
the application software on the PC.
Referring to FIG. 15, first, by an operation of the application
software on the PC, a capture setting parameter change command including
a parameter indicating the content of the change is issued to the
digital camera 901 (step S1501). In response to the command, the
digital camera 902 changes the capture setting (e.g., Tv value shown
in FIG. 12) stored therein (step S1502). Then, a Change Release
Param event indicating a change in the capture setting in the digital
camera 901, with a parameter indicating the capture setting parameter
which has been changed (Tv value parameter with a value of 1/250
in the case of (6) in FIG. 4) is transmitted to the PC (step S1503).
Upon receiving the event and the parameter, the application software
on the PC identifies the capture setting parameter which has been
changed based on the parameter, and updates the previous capture
setting parameter data stored therein with the new capture setting
parameter data received, and also updates the display as required
(step S1504).
FIG. 16 is a diagram showing a process for changing capture setting
data in the digital camera 901 by an operation of the UI of the
digital camera 901.
First, by an operation of the UI of the digital camera 901, the
capture setting (e.g., Tv value shown in FIG. 12) in the digital
camera 901 is changed (step S1601). Then, a Change Release Param
event indicating a change in the capture setting in the digital
camera 901, with a parameter indicating the capture setting parameter
which has been changed (Tv value parameter with a value of 1/250
in the case of (6) in FIG. 4), is transmitted to the PC (step S1602).
Upon receiving the event and the parameter, the application software
on the PC identifies the capture setting parameter which has been
changed based on the parameter, updates the previous capture setting
parameter data stored therein with the new capture setting parameter
data received, and also updates the display as required (step S1603).
Also in this example, the process 5 shown in FIG. 15 (steps S1503
to S1506) and the process 5 shown in FIG. 16 (steps S1602 to S1605)
are the same. That is, a change to the capture setting can be handled
by the same process whether the change is initiated by the application
software on the PC or by the UI of the digital camera 901, thus
reducing the load of the application software. Furthermore, in this
example, the parameter included in the event generated by the digital
camera 901 indicates the capture setting parameter which has been
changed and also indicating the value thereof, so that the application
software is allowed to identify which of the capture setting parameters
in the digital camera 901 has been changed and to update the previous
capture setting parameter data with the new capture setting parameter
data in the event processing, achieving a highly efficient system.
However, because the event including data is transmitted spontaneously
from the digital camera 901, the system may not be suitable where
data of an excessive size is transmitted, for example, using an
interrupt pipe of USB.
Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described.
FIG. 17 is a schematic diagram showing a digital camera input system
according to the third embodiment.
Digital camera 1701 is an information input apparatus, and reference
numeral 1702 is an example of application software running on a
PC connected to the digital camera 1701 via a USB cable. According
to this model, when the digital camera 1701 is connected to the
PC via the USB cable, the application software 1702 is activated
on the PC, so that the application software 1702 allows capturing
of an image by the digital camera 1701 connected to the PC and display
of the image captured by a release by the digital camera 1701. Referring
to FIG. 17, when the release button 1703 is clicked, a release command
is issued to the digital camera 1701 so that the digital camera
1701 captures an image. The image captured is transferred to the
PC, so that a thumbnail view is displayed in an area 1704 and the
full image is displayed in an area 1705.
The thumbnail image and the full image are displayed similarly
when the capture is initiated by an operation of a release switch
of the digital camera 1701.
FIG. 18 is a flowchart showing a processing sequence for remotely
capturing an image by an operation of the application software on
the PC. Upon being activated, the application software sends a command
for setting an event generation operation for a capture operation
of the application software (step S1801).
FIG. 19 is a diagram showing parameters in the event generation
setting command for the capture operation.
The command transmitted in step S1801 is configured as shown in
FIG. 19A. Referring to FIG. 19A, "NumofEvent" indicates
the number of events specified in the command, and "KindOfEvent"
indicates the types of the events. "Flag" is set to "True"
if the event is desired to be issued, and otherwise set to "False".
For example, in this embodiment, "2" is set in "NumOfEvent"
and "Thumbnail" and "FullView" are set in "KindOfEvent"
with "Flag" both set to "True", so that a thumbnail
image and a full image are displayed by the application software.
In response to the command, the digital camera 1701 stores the
events for which "True" is set in "Flag", as
shown in FIG. 20A (step S1802). Although only a thumbnail image
and a full image are used in this embodiment, if the digital camera
1701 records sound, or records an image in the CF (compact flash)
card on the digital camera 1701, "Sound", "Save_CF",
etc. are stored as an array, as shown in FIG. 20A.
FIG. 21 is a flowchart showing the processing sequence for the
event setting on the side of the digital camera 1701. First, Event_Counter
is initialized and cleared to "0" (step S2101). Then,
upon reception of the command for setting the event generation operation
for the capture operation (step S2402), an "Index" parameter
is initialized to "0" (step S2403). Then, it is determined
whether the value of "Index" is smaller than the value
of "NumOfEvent" (step S2404). If the "Index"
value is smaller than the "NumOfEvent" value, the "Index"
value is incremented by one (step S2405), it is checked whether
"True" is set to "Flag" in the parameter of
the received command (step S2406), and events for which "True"
is set in "Flag" are added to Event Table (step S2407).
Then, the value of the Event Counter is also incremented by one
(step S2408).
Steps S2404 to S2408 are repeated to add events to the Event Table
until the condition is satisfied.
Referring back to FIG. 18, when the user clicks on the release
button 1703 by an operation of the application software on the PC,
a release request command is issued to the digital camera 1701 (step
S1803). In response to the command, the digital camera 1701 transmits
a Release Start event to the PC (step S1804). In response to the
event, the application software on the PC gets ready for Release
Events to be transmitted from the digital camera 1701 (step S1805),
including addition of a queue for queuing the Release Events. The
digital camera 1701 then enters a capture operation (step S1806).
The capture operation may be cancelled when, for example, auto focus
(AF) fails, in which case an event for notifying the PC of the cancel
is issued (step S1808).
Upon reception of the cancel event, the application software on
the PC displays a message for alerting the user (step S1814). FIG.
22 is an illustration showing an example of the alerting message.
When the capture operation is successfully completed, the digital
camera 1701 sequentially issues the events which have been set in
the Event Table. In this example, first, a Thumbnail Release Event
is issued to the PC (S1809).
Then, a Full View Release Event is issued (step S1810). The application
software on the PC stores each of the events in the Event Queue
provided by the PC (steps S1815 and S1816). Then, the digital camera
1701 issues a Release Stop Event to the PC (step S1811), and waits
for a data acquisition command from the PC.
Upon reception of the Release Stop Event (step S1817), the application
software on the PC determines whether any Release Event is stored
in the Event Queue (step S1818), and if there is any, retrieves
the event from the Event Queue and issues a command to the digital
camera 1701 for requesting data associated with the event (step
S1819).
Now, Release Event will be described. Event ID (7) in FIG. 4 shows
a Release Event for a thumbnail image, and Event ID (8) in FIG.
4 shows a Release Event for a full image. The events are transmitted
with Release Event Param structures as parameters, respectively.
The Release Event Param structure is configured, for example, as
shown in FIG. 7A. "Sequence ID" is unique identification
information of each image data set (e.g., an associated data set
including, for example, a thumbnail image, a full image, and speech)
captured by the digital camera 1701. Each data element of the data
set has the same Sequence ID.
"Data Size" indicates the size of the data notified by
the event. For example, if the event is for a thumbnail image, "Data
Size" indicates the data size of the thumbnail image. "Data
Format" indicates the data format, etc. of the data notified
by the event.
When the data acquisition command for obtaining the data notified
by the Release Event is issued to the digital camera 1701 in step
S1819, the Sequence_ID is used as a parameter. The digital camera
1701 searches the data stored therein based on the Sequence_ID to
identify the corresponding data, and transmits the data to the PC
(step S1812). The application software on the PC is thus allowed
to store and display the data received (step S1820).
FIG. 23 is a flowchart showing a process for deleting data stored
in the digital camera 1701 by an operation of the digital camera
1701.
The digital camera 1701 stores data sets captured in response to
a release command from the application software on the PC in a primary
storage device such as a DRAM in the digital camera 1701, and deletes
the data when transfer of the data is completed. The data is managed
by the unit of each data set, and thus a series of data elements
are deleted together when deleting data. For this reason, a data
set is deleted when all the data required has been completely transferred.
In order to achieve this, a copy of the value of the Event_Counter
is assigned to the Sequence_ID.
Initially, the digital camera 1701 waits for a data acquisition
command from the PC (step S2301), and upon receiving a data acquisition
command (step S2302), the digital camera 1701 decrements the value
of the Event_Counter by 1 (step S2303).
Next, it is determined whether the value of the Event_Counter is
"0" (step S2304), and if the value is "0", the
data set is deleted from the DRAM (step S2305), and the process
is exited. If the value of the Event_Counter is not "0",
it means that data to be acquired from the PC still exists, so the
digital camera 1701 waits for the next data acquisition command.
In this example, the data in the digital camera 1701 is managed
by the unit of each data set, and thus each data set must be deleted
altogether when the data set is deleted. However, if the image data
is managed by the unit of each data element, the image data may
be deleted from the DRAM by the unit of each data element. Furthermore,
as will be described later, if a single piece of data is used by
a plurality of clients (for example, when a thumbnail image is to
be used by a plurality of application software), instead of the
Event_Counter, counters may be provided individually for each of
the data elements, so that each of the data elements will be deleted
from the DRAM when the value of the corresponding counter becomes
"0".
FIG. 24 is a flowchart showing a process for capturing an image
by an operation of the UI of the digital camera 1701, so that the
data is displayed and stored by the application software on the
PC. In a manner similar to the case described earlier, in which
the release operation is initiated by the application software on
the PC, the application software, upon being activated, sends a
command to the digital camera 1701 for setting an event generation
operation for a capture operation (step S2401). The command is configured,
for example, as shown in FIG. 19A.
The processing sequence for the event setting is the same as in
the case where the release operation is initiated by the application
software on the PC.
Then, the release operation is entered by pushing the release switch
of the digital camera 1701 (step S2403). Then, the digital camera
1701 transmits a Release Start Event to the PC (step S2404). In
response to the event, the application software on the PC gets ready
for receiving Release Events to be transmitted from the digital
camera 1701 (step S2413), including addition of a queue for queuing
the Release Events. The digital camera 1701 then enters a capture
operation (step S2405), and if, for example, AF (auto focus) fails,
the capture operation is cancelled, and an event for notifying the
PC of the cancel of the capture operation is issued to the PC (step
S2407).
In response to the cancel event, the application software alerts
the user by displaying a message, for example, as shown in FIG.
22 (step S2414).
When the digital camera 1701 successfully completes the capture
operation, the events which have been set in the Event Table are
sequentially issued. In this example, a Thumbnail Release Event
is first issued to the PC (step S2408).
Next, a Full View Release Event is issued (step S2409). In response
to the events, the application software on the PC stores the events
in the Event Queue provided by the PC (steps S2415 and S2416). Then,
the digital camera 1701 issues a Release Stop Event to the PC (step
S1811), and waits for a data acquisition command from the PC.
Upon receiving the Release Stop Event (step S2417), the application
software checks if any Release Event is stored in the Event Queue
(step S2418), and if there is any, the application software retrieves
the event from the Event Queue, and sends a command to the digital
camera 1701 for requesting the associated data (step S2419). The
Release Event is the same as in the case described earlier, in which
the release operation is initiated by the application software.
When the data acquisition command for obtaining data specified
in the Release Event is transmitted to the digital camera 1701 in
step S2419, the Sequence_ID is used as a parameter. The digital
camera 1701 searches the data stored therein based on the Sequence_ID
to identify the corresponding data, and transmits the data (step
S2411). The application software on the PC is thus allowed to store
and display the data received (step S2420).
In this example, the Release Start Event is issued when the release
switch of the digital camera is switched on (half depressed), and
the Release Stop Event is issued when the release switch is switched
off, so that the same processing sequence on the PC can be used
for both the single frame capture mode and the continuous frames
capture mode. When in the continuous frames capture mode, the application
software on the PC queues Release Events received between the Release
Start Event and the Release Stop Event, sequentially retrieves the
events from the queue after the Release Stop Event, and identifies
and obtains the data. Thus, in the continuous frames capture mode,
a series of Release Events received between the Release Start Event
and the Release Stop Event is transmitted to the PC, and the PC
processes the Release Events in the same manner as in the single
frame capture mode.
Also in the third embodiment, the process 6 shown in FIG. 18 (steps
S1804 to S1821) and the process 6 shown in FIG. 24 (steps S2404
to S2421) are the same. That is, capturing and transfer of data
can be executed by the same processing sequence whether the operation
is initiated by the UI of the digital camera 1701 or by the application
software on the PC, thus reducing the load of the application software
1702 and allowing flexible operation.
Alternatively, the information added to the command for setting
an event generation operation for the capture operation of the digital
camera 1701 may be configured as shown in FIG. 19B. In this case,
an "Add" field is added to the example described earlier.
The "Add" field stores information which identifies the
destination of the event. In this case, events are stored in the
event table on the digital camera 1701 as shown in FIG. 20B.
Destination addresses are assigned to each of the events, so that
the events can be transmitted to their respective destination addresses.
Thus, the same information (e.g., a thumbnail image) can be requested
from a plurality of processes in a multiple client environment.
Furthermore, a Release Event Param structure which is added to
a Release Event may be configured as shown in FIG. 7B or FIG. 7C.
In FIG. 7B, an "Internal File Path" field is added, in
which, when data is transferred to the PC and also stored in a secondary
storage device such as a CF in the digital camera 1701, information
which allows identification of the data in the digital camera 1701
(e.g., a file path) is stored. The application software on the PC
is thus allowed to compare data in the digital camera 1701 and the
data transferred to the PC based on the information. FIG. 7C shows
a configuration which uses the Internal File Path instead of the
Sequence_ID, which can be used when data is transferred to the PC
only after the data has been stored in the secondary storage device
such as a CF in the digital camera 1701.
The present invention has been described hereinabove with three
embodiments. In all, the updating operation, etc. on the side of
the application software can be executed in the same manner whether
the operation is initiated by an operation of the application software
on the PC or by an operation of the UI of the digital camera.
Taking a step further, as shown in FIG. 25, camera operation process
and data display process (data processing process) can be readily
implemented as separate processes (or threads). Thus, the data display
process (data processing process) is executed only in response to
an event from the camera, and executed in the same manner regardless
of the cause of the event. Thus, the camera operation process and
the data display process (data processing process) become highly
independent of each other. For example, as shown in FIG. 26A, the
camera operation process and the data display process (data processing
process) may be executed on different PCs.
Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 26B, a system in which a number of
application software programs may run on a plurality of PCs, so
that operation of the camera and display of data are handled with
consistency, can be implemented relatively easily.
While the present invention has been described with reference to
what are presently considered to be the preferred embodiments, it
is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the disclosed
embodiments. To the contrary, the invention is intended to cover
various modifications and equivalent arrangements included within
the spirit and scope of the appended claims. The scope of the following
claims is to be accorded the broadest interpretation so as to encompass
all such modifications and equivalent structures and functions.
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