PATENT ABSTRACT
A camera system to photograph a subject as a preview photography and as a regular photography, and to display image of the preview photography and image of the regular photography, including: a communication section; a photographing section to photograph the subject; a control section to control the photographing section through the communication section, at least to photograph the subject as the preview photography; a memory section to store image data as the regular photography and as the preview photography of the subject, photographed by the photographing section; and an image display section, provided on the control section, wherein when the control section controls the photographing section to photograph the subject as the regular photography after the preview photography, the image display section displays the preview photography of the subject based on the image data which was previously stored in the memory section.

PATENT DESCRIPTION
[0001]     This application is based on Japanese Patent Application No. 2005-320584 filed on Nov. 4, 2005 in the Japanese Patent Office, the entire content of which is hereby incorporated by reference.  
       TECHNICAL FIELD  
       [0002]     The present invention relates to a camera system and a controller.  
       BACKGROUND  
       [0003]     There has been known a camera system wherein a photographing apparatus such as a digital camera and a controller such as a personal computer that controls the photographing apparatus are connected through a prescribed communication means.  
         [0004]     In the camera system of this kind, an image is taken by the photographing apparatus pursuant to the control command from the controller, for example, and image data of the image thus taken are transferred to the controller. Then, the controller displays an image based on the image data transferred from the photographing apparatus, for example.  
         [0005]     In recent years, it has become a problem that transfer of image data from the photographing apparatus to the controller is time-consuming, and transmission of control command to the photographing apparatus from the controller cannot be carried out instantly, because an amount of image data has been increased with a trend toward higher pixels of the photographing apparatus. Under the aforesaid background, there is proposed a camera system wherein a communication path for the transfer of image data is different from that for the transmission of control command, so that control command may be transmitted from the controller, for example, even when image data are transferred from the photographing apparatus (for example, see Patent Document 1).  
         [0006]     [Patent Document 1] Unexamined Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2001-268424  
         [0007]     Incidentally, on a photographing apparatus such as a digital camera, there is provided an after-view function so that a user can confirm the image taken regularly by the photographing apparatus, after the regular photographing.  
         [0008]     Even in the camera system mentioned above, there still is a demand to confirm the image taken by the photographing apparatus regularly, with the after-view function, on the controller side. However, transfer of image data from the photographing apparatus to the controller is time-consuming, which makes a period up to after-view to be long, and makes it impossible to confirm instantly the image taken regularly, resulting in a problem of inconvenience for a user.  
       SUMMARY  
       [0009]     An objective of the invention is to provide a camera system and a controller wherein, when confirming an image taken by a photographing apparatus, the image can be confirmed rapidly, and the ease of use is improved for a user.  
         [0010]     For solving the aforesaid problems, the invention described in Item  1  is a camera system in which a photographing apparatus and a controller having a display means are connected to each other through a communication means, and the photographing apparatus conducts at least preview image photographing and regular image photographing based on an instruction from the controller, and the controller displays, on the display means, image data obtained through photographing by the photographing apparatus, wherein the camera system is provided with a memory means that stores image data obtained through photographing by the photographing apparatus, and the photographing apparatus conducts preview image photographing based on an instruction for preview image photographing coming from the controller and conducts regular image photographing based on an instruction for regular image photographing coming from the controller, while, the controller displays preview image data obtained through the preview image photographing on the display means, when an instruction for preview image photographing is given to the photographing apparatus, and displays preview image data obtained in advance on the display means when an instruction for regular image photographing is given to the photographing apparatus, and the memory means stores regular image data obtained through regular image photographing by the photographing apparatus.  
         [0011]     The invention described in Item  2  is the camera system according to Item  1 , wherein the memory means is provided on the photographing apparatus.  
         [0012]     The invention described in Item  3  is the camera system according to Item  1 , wherein the memory means is provided on the controller.  
         [0013]     The invention described in Item  4  is the camera system according to any one of Items  1 - 3 , wherein, when regular image data by the regular image photographing are obtained from the photographing apparatus in the case where an instruction for regular image photographing is given to the photographing apparatus by the controller, preview image data obtained in advance are changed to the obtained regular image data to be displayed on the display means.  
         [0014]     The invention described in Item  5  is the camera system according to Item  4 , wherein, when displaying the regular image data on the display means, the controller displays that the displayed image data are regular image data through the prescribed display mode, when displaying the regular image data on the display means.  
         [0015]     The invention described in Item  6  is a camera system in which a photographing apparatus and a controller having a display means are connected to each other through a communication means, and the photographing apparatus conducts at least preview image photographing and regular image photographing based on an instruction from the controller, and the controller displays, on the display means, image data obtained through photographing by the photographing apparatus, wherein the camera system is provided with a memory means that stores image data obtained through photographing by the photographing apparatus, and the photographing apparatus conducts preview image photographing based on an instruction for preview image photographing coming from the controller and conducts regular image photographing based on an instruction for regular image photographing coming from the controller, to generate from the regular image data obtained through the regular image photographing the low resolution image data whose resolution is lower than that of the regular image data, and the controller displays, on the display means, preview image data obtained through the preview image photographing, when an instruction for preview image photographing is given to the photographing apparatus, and displays, on the display means, low resolution image data obtained through the regular image photographing, when an instruction for regular image photographing is given to the photographing apparatus, while, the memory means stores regular image data obtained through regular image photographing by the photographing apparatus.  
         [0016]     The invention described in Item  7  is the camera system according to Item  6 , wherein, when displaying the low resolution image data on the display means, the controller displays, through the prescribed display mode, that the displayed low resolution image data are those generated from regular image data.  
         [0017]     The invention described in Item  8  is a controller that is connected with a photographing apparatus through a communication means to give at least an instruction for preview image photographing and an instruction for regular image photographing to the photographing apparatus and to display, on a display means, image data obtained through photographing by the photographing apparatus, wherein when an instruction for preview image photographing is given to the photographing apparatus, preview image data obtained through the preview image photographing are displayed on the display means, while, when an instruction for regular image photographing is given to the photographing apparatus, preview image data obtained in advance are displayed on the display means.  
         [0018]     The invention described in Item  9  is the controller according to Item  8 , wherein a memory means to store regular image data obtained through regular image photographing by the photographing apparatus is provided.  
         [0019]     The invention described in Item  10  is the controller according to Item  8  or Item  9 , wherein when regular image data by the regular image photographing are obtained from the photographing apparatus in the case where an instruction for regular image photographing is given to the photographing apparatus, preview image data obtained in advance is changed to the obtained regular image data to be displayed on the display means.  
         [0020]     The invention described in Item  11  is the controller according to Item  10 , wherein, when displaying the regular image data on the display means, the controller displays, through the prescribed display mode, that the displayed image data are regular image data.  
         [0021]     The invention described in Item  12  is a controller that is connected with a photographing apparatus that conducts preview image photographing and regular image photographing and generates low resolution image data whose resolution is lower than that of the regular image data from regular image data obtained through the regular image photographing through a communication means to give at least an instruction for preview image photographing and an instruction for regular image photographing to the photographing apparatus and to display, on a display means, image data obtained through photographing by the photographing apparatus, wherein when an instruction for preview image photographing is given to the photographing apparatus, preview image data obtained through the preview image photographing are displayed on the display means, while, when an instruction for regular image photographing is given to the photographing apparatus, low resolution image data generated from regular image data obtained through the regular image photographing are displayed on the display means.  
         [0022]     The invention described in Item  13  is the controller according to Item  12 , wherein, when displaying the low resolution image data on the display means, the controller displays, through the prescribed display mode, that the displayed low resolution image data are those generated from regular image data.  
         [0023]     Concerning the effects of the invention, in the inventions described in Items  1 ,  2  and  8 , when an instruction for regular image photographing is given, preview image data obtained in advance can be displayed on the display means. That is to say, when an instruction for regular image photographing is given, preview image data obtained immediately before the instruction can be displayed on the display means. Therefore, an image that can be confirmed on the controller side is not a regular image itself, but it is one which is substantially the same as the regular image. Thus, an effect which is substantially the same as that in the case of confirming the regular image itself can be obtained, and when confirming the image taken by the photographing apparatus on the controller side, the confirmation can be carried out rapidly, which is convenient for a user.  
         [0024]     In the inventions described in Items  3  and  9 , it is naturally possible to obtain an effect which is the same as that in the inventions described in Items  1  and  8 , and it is also possible to store regular image data on the controller side, thus, it is easy to conduct processing such as editing of the regular image data, which is convenient for a user.  
         [0025]     In the inventions described in Items  4  and  10 , it is naturally possible to obtain an effect which is the same as that in any one of the inventions described in Items  1 - 3  and  8  or  9 , and it is also possible to change image data to be displayed on the display means from preview image data obtained in advance to the obtained regular image data when the regular image data are obtained. Therefore, the regular image itself can also be confirmed, resulting in rapid and accurate confirmation, which is more convenient for a user.  
         [0026]     In the inventions described in Items  5  and  11 , it is naturally possible to obtain an effect which is the same as that in the inventions Items  4  and  10 , and it is also possible to display that the displayed image data are regular image data, when image data to be displayed on the display means are changed to regular image data. Therefore, it is possible to judge surely whether the image data displayed on the display means are preview image data or the image data displayed on the display means are regular image data, which is favorable for a user.  
         [0027]     In the inventions described in Items  6  and  12 , when an instruction for regular image photographing is given, low resolution image data of the regular image generated on the photographing apparatus side can be displayed on the display means. Namely, since low resolution image data of regular image to be displayed on the display means are less in terms of data amount than regular image data, it is possible to display more rapidly than regular image data, and when confirming images taken by the photographing apparatus on the controller side, the confirmation can be carried out rapidly, which is convenient for a user.  
         [0028]     In the inventions described in Items  7  and  13 , it is naturally possible to obtain an effect which is the same as that in the inventions described in Items  6  and  12 , and it is also possible to display that the image data are those generated from regular image data, when displaying low resolution image data of regular image on the display means. Therefore, it is possible to judge surely whether the image data displayed on the display means are preview image data or data generated from regular image data, which is favorable for a user. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0029]      FIG. 1  is a block diagram showing a functional structure of a camera system in the first embodiment.  
         [0030]      FIG. 2  is a flow chart for illustrating the first processing by a camera system in the first embodiment.  
         [0031]      FIG. 3  is a flow chart for illustrating the second processing by a camera system in the first embodiment.  
         [0032]      FIG. 4  is a diagram showing a photographing control screen.  
         [0033]      FIG. 5  is a flow chart for illustrating the processing concerning preview image photographing by a camera system in the first embodiment.  
         [0034]      FIG. 6  is a flow chart for illustrating the processing concerning regular image photographing by a camera system in the first embodiment.  
         [0035]      FIG. 7  is a block diagram showing a functional structure of a camera system in the second embodiment.  
         [0036]      FIG. 8  is a flow chart for illustrating the processing concerning regular image photographing by a camera system in the second embodiment.  
         [0037]      FIG. 9  is a block diagram showing a functional structure of a camera system in the third embodiment.  
         [0038]      FIG. 10  is a flow chart for illustrating the processing concerning regular image photographing by a camera system in the third embodiment. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0039]     Preferred embodiments of the camera system relating to the invention will be explained in detail as follows, referring to the drawings. Incidentally, a range of the invention is not limited to the illustrations.  
       First Embodiment  
       [0040]     First, camera system  1  in the First Embodiment will be explained.  
         [0000]     &lt;Structure of Camera System&gt; 
         [0041]     First, the structure of camera system  1  will be explained by reference to  FIG. 1 .  
         [0042]     The camera system  1  is one to be used as, for example, a security camera system and a camera system for taking an identification photograph, and it is composed of photographing apparatus  11  and controller  16  which are connected to each other through communication network N as a communication means, as shown in, for example,  FIG. 1 .  
         [0043]     The photographing apparatus  11  is, for example, a digital camera, and the controller  16  is, for example, a personal computer.  
         [0044]     The communication network N is, for example, a communication network such as an Internet, LAN (Local Area Network), WAN (Wide Area Network), and it includes various communication lines such as telephone line network, ISDN (Integrated Services Digital Network) line network, broadband communication line network, private lines, mobile object communication network, communication satellite lines, CATV (Community Antenna TeleVision) line network, optical communication lines and radio communication lines and Internet service provider.  
         [0000]     &lt;Structure of Photographing Apparatus&gt; 
         [0045]     Photographing apparatus  11  is composed, for example, of photographing section  111 , communication section  112 , memory section  113  and control section  114 , as shown in  FIG. 1 . Respective sections are connected to each other through bus  11 B.  
         [0046]     The photographing apparatus  11  conducts at least preview image photographing and regular image photographing, based on an instruction from controller  16 .  
         [0047]     As shown in  FIG. 1 , the photographing section  111  is composed, for example, of CCD (Charge Coupled Device) that acquires analog signals by converting photoelectrically light entering through a lens (not shown), analog signal processing circuit  1112  that conducts processing such as CDS (Correlated Double Sampling) or AGC (Automatic Gain Control) for analog signals acquired by CCD  1111 , A/D converter  1113  that converts analog signals processed by the analog signal processing circuit  1112  into digital signals and digital signal processing circuit  1114  that conducts processing such as preparation of luminance signal and color difference signal or gamma correction for digital signals acquired through conversion by the A/D converter  1113 , and conducts photographing for a prescribed image in accordance with an instruction from the control section  114 .  
         [0048]     Specifically, the photographing section  111  conducts, for example, preview image photographing in accordance with an instruction from the control section  114  based on an instruction for preview image photographing coming from the controller  16  (for example, “preview image photographing” command), and conducts regular image photographing in accordance with an instruction from the control section  114  based on an instruction for regular image photographing coming from the controller  16  (for example, “regular image photographing” command).  
         [0049]     In this case, the preview image means, for example, an image to be taken in by the photographing section  111  sequentially.  
         [0050]     Meanwhile, the regular image means, for example, an image to be taken in by the photographing section  111  when an instruction for regular photographing is given by a user through the controller  16 . An amount of regular image data is greater than that of preview image data, because image quality of the regular image is higher than that of the preview image.  
         [0051]     The communication section  112  is connected with, for example, communication section  161  (described later) of the controller  16  through communication network N, and conducts transmitting and receiving for various types of information between itself and the controller  16 .  
         [0052]     Specifically, the communication section  112  receives a prescribed control command coming from the controller  16 .  
         [0053]     Further, the communication section  112  transfers, to the controller  16 , preview image data obtained by preview image photographing by photographing section  111 , in accordance with, for example, an instruction from control section  114  that is based on “preview image photographing” command coming from the controller  16 , and transfers, to the controller  16 , regular image data obtained by regular image photographing by photographing section  111 , in accordance with an instruction from control section  114  that is based on “regular image photographing” command coming from the controller  16 .  
         [0054]     The memory section  113  is compose, for example, of a magnetic memory medium, an optical memory medium or of a semiconductor memory.  
         [0055]     The memory section  113  stores regular image data obtained through regular image photographing by photographing section  111 , in accordance with an instruction from control section  114  that is based on “regular image photographing” command from the controller  16 , as, for example, of a memory means.  
         [0056]     As shown in  FIG. 1 , the control section  114  is provided, for example, with CPU (Central Processing Unit)  1141 , RAM (Random Access Memory)  1142  and ROM (Read Only Memory)  1143 , and controls total photographing apparatus  11  so that the photographing apparatus  11  may operate in accordance with a prescribed control command coming from the controller  16 .  
         [0057]     CPU  1141  conducts various control operations in accordance with various types of processing programs for photographing apparatus  11  stored in ROM  1143 .  
         [0058]     RAM  1142  is provided with program storage area for developing processing programs practiced by CPU  1141  and with data storage area for storing processing results which are produced when inputted data or the aforesaid processing programs are practiced.  
         [0059]     ROM  1143  stores system programs practicable in photographing apparatus  11 , processing programs in various types practicable in the aforesaid system programs, data used in practicing the aforesaid processing programs in various types and data of results of processing subjected to arithmetic processing by CPU  1141 . Meanwhile, programs are stored in ROM  1143  in a form of a program code that can be read by a computer.  
         [0000]     &lt;Structure of Controller&gt; 
         [0060]     As shown in  FIG. 1 , the controller  16  is provided with, for example, communication section  161 , buffer  162 , image display section  163 , input section  164  and control section  165 . Respective sections are connected to each other through bus  16 B.  
         [0061]     The communication section  161  is connected with, for example, communication section  112  of photographing apparatus  11  through communication network N, and conducts transmitting and receiving for various types of information between itself and the photographing apparatus  11 .  
         [0062]     Specifically, the communication section  161  transmits a prescribed control command to photographing apparatus  11  in accordance with, for example, an instruction coming from the control section  165 .  
         [0063]     Further, communication section  161  receives preview image data or regular image data transferred from, for example, photographing apparatus  11 .  
         [0064]     Buffer  162  stores temporarily preview image data obtained by preview image photographing of photographing apparatus  11 , in accordance with an instruction coming, for example, from control section  165 .  
         [0065]     Image display section  163  is a monitor or the like provided with an unillustrated display screen such as of a liquid crystal type, and it conducts given display processing in accordance with an instruction coming from control section  165 .  
         [0066]     To be concrete, the image display section  163  displays preview image data obtained by preview image photographing of photographing apparatus  11  or regular image data obtained by regular image photographing of photographing apparatus  11 , in accordance with an instruction from control section  165 , as, for example. a display means.  
         [0067]     Input section  164  is composed of, for example, a cursor key, an alphanumeric key and various functions keys, and it outputs on control section  165  pressed signals based on key operations of a user. The input section  164  may further be one equipped with a pointing device such as a mouse or a touch panel, and other input apparatuses such as a bar code reader, a note pad, a scanner and OCR apparatuses.  
         [0068]     Specifically, the input section  164  is used when a user instructs through photographing or regular photographing, namely, when preview image photographing or regular image photographing is instructed.  
         [0069]     As shown in  FIG. 1 , control section  165  is provided, for example, with CPU  1651 , RAM  1652  and ROM  1653 .  
         [0070]     CPU  1651  conducts various types of control operations in accordance with various types of processing programs for controller  16  stored in ROM  1653 .  
         [0071]     RAM  1652  is provided with a program storage area where processing programs to be practiced are developed and with a data storage area where inputted data and processing results generated when the aforesaid processing programs are practiced are stored.  
         [0072]     ROM  1653  stores system programs which are practicable in control section  16 , various types of processing programs which are practicable with the system programs, data used when these various types of processing programs are practiced and data representing the results of arithmetic processing by CPU  1651 . Incidentally, the programs are stored in ROM  1653  in a form of a program code which can be read by a computer.  
         [0073]     Concretely, in ROM  1653 , there are stored, for example, preview image photographing control program  1653   a  and regular image photographing control program  1653   b  as shown in  FIG. 1 .  
         [0074]     When preview image photographing is instructed by operations of input section  164  by a user, for example, preview image photographing control program  1653   a  causes communication section  161  to transmit “preview image photographing” to photographing apparatus  11 , and then, causes buffer  162  to store preview image data obtained by preview image photographing based on the “preview image photographing” command which was transferred from photographing apparatus  11 , and the preview image photographing control program  1653   a  causes CPU  1651  to realize a function to display the stored preview image data on the image display section  163 .  
         [0075]     Specifically, the occasion when preview image photographing is instructed by operations of input section  164  by a user means an occasion when, for example, the power of photographing apparatus  11  is instructed to be turned on.  
         [0076]     When regular image photographing is instructed by operations of a user on the input section  164 , for example, regular image photographing control program  1653   b  causes communication section  161  to transmit “regular image photographing” command to photographing apparatus  11 , and causes CPU  1651  to realize a function to display preview image data (for example, latest preview image data stored in butter  162  in advance) obtained in advance on image display section  163 .  
         [0077]     Further, when regular image data by regular image photographing based on “regular image photographing” are obtained from photographing apparatus  11 , for example, regular image photographing control program  1653   b  causes CPU  1651  to realize a function to change preview image data obtained in advance into the obtained regular image data to display on image display section  163 .  
         [0078]     In this case, when regular image data are displayed on image display section  163 , for example, the CPU  1651  displays, through the prescribed display mode, that the displayed image data are regular image data.  
         [0079]     Specifically, the CPU  1651  causes image display section  163 , for example, to indicate a text display such as “These are Regular Images” or a designation which shows regular image data, together with the regular image data.  
         [0000]     &lt;Processing by Camera System&gt; 
         [0080]     Next, processing conducted by camera system  1  will be explained as follows, referring to  FIG. 2  and the flow chart in  FIG. 3 .  
         [0081]     First, CPU  1651  of controller  16  displays, for example, photographing control screen A shown in  FIG. 4 , on image display section  163  (step S 11 ).  
         [0082]     On the photographing control screen A shown in  FIG. 4 , there are specifically displayed, for example, image display screen A 1 , camera parameter display column A 2 , “S1” key A 3 , “S2” key A 4 , “OPEN” key A 5  and “CLOSE” key A 6 .  
         [0083]     A camera parameter displayed on the camera parameter display column A 2  can be rewritten to the parameter desired by a user, through, for example, user&#39;s operations on input section  164 .  
         [0084]     When giving an instruction for preparation of regular image photographing to photographing apparatus  11 , for example, namely, when instructing photographing apparatus  11  to practice, for example, AE (Auto Exposure), AF (Auto Focusing) and AWB (Auto White Balance) specifically, “S1” key A 3  is depressed by user&#39;s operations on input section  164 .  
         [0085]     When giving an instruction for regular image photographing to photographing apparatus  11 , for example, “S2” key A 4  is depressed by user&#39;s operations on input section  164 .  
         [0086]     Then, CPU  1651  judges whether or not “OPEN” key A 5  shown on photographing control screen A ( FIG. 4 ) is depressed by, for example, user&#39;s operations on input section  164 , namely, it judges whether the power for photographing apparatus  11  is instructed to be turned on or not (step S 12 ).  
         [0087]     In step S 12 , if the power for photographing apparatus  11  is judged not to be turned on (step S 12 ; No), CPU  1651  repeats processing in step S 12 .  
         [0088]     On the other hand, when the power for photographing apparatus  11  is judged to be instructed to be turned on in step S 12  (step S 12 ; Yes), CPU  1651  causes communication section  161  of controller  16  to transmit “Power ON” command to photographing apparatus  11  (step S 13 ).  
         [0089]     When communication section  112  of photographing apparatus  11  receives “Power ON” command transmitted in step S 13  (step S 14 ), CPU  1141  of photographing apparatus  11  turns on the power for photographing apparatus  11  in accordance with the received “Power ON” command (step S 15 ), and causes communication section  112  to transmit “Power ON” completion information to photographing apparatus  16  (step S 16 ).  
         [0090]     When communication section  161  of controller  16  receives “Power ON” completion information transmitted in step S 16  (step S 17 ), CPU  1651  of controller  16  causes communication section  161  and communication section  112  of photographing apparatus  11  to practice communication condition negotiation between them (step S 18 ).  
         [0091]     When the communication condition negotiation in step S 18  is completed, CPU  1651  of controller  16  causes communication section  161  of controller  16  to transmit to photographing apparatus  11  the camera parameter displayed on camera parameter display column A 2  of photographing control screen A ( FIG. 4 ) and “camera parameter set” command (step S 19 ).  
         [0092]     When communication section  112  of photographing apparatus  11  receives a camera parameter and “camera parameter set” command transmitted in step S 19  (step S 20 ), CPU  1141  of photographing apparatus  11  sets camera parameter of photographing apparatus  11  based on the camera parameter thus received, in accordance with the “camera parameter set” thus received (step S 21 ), and causes the communication section  112  to transmit “camera parameter set” completion information to controller  16  (step S 22 ).  
         [0093]     After the communication section  161  of controller  16  receives “camera parameter set” completion information transmitted in step S 22  (step S 23 ), CPU  1651  of controller  16  starts preview image photographing processing ( FIG. 5 ) which will be explained later (step S 24 ).  
         [0094]     Then, CPU  1651  judges whether “S1” key A 3  displayed on photographing control screen A ( FIG. 4 ) has been depressed by user&#39;s operations on input section  164  or not (step S 25 ).  
         [0095]     In step S 25 , if “S1” key A 3  is judged not to have been depressed (step S 25 ; No), CPU  1651  repeats processing to be conducted in step S 25 .  
         [0096]     In step S 25 , on the other hand, if “S1” key A 3  is judged to have been depressed (step S 25 ; Yes), CPU  1651  causes communication section  161  of controller  16  to transmit “regular image photographing preparation” command to photographing apparatus  11  (step S 26 ).  
         [0097]     After the communication section  112  of photographing apparatus  11  receives “regular image photographing preparation” command transmitted in step S 26  (step S 27 ), CPU  1141  of photographing apparatus  11  conducts preparation for regular image photographing (step S 28 ) in accordance with the “regular image photographing preparation” command thus received (step S 28 ), and causes communication section  112  to transmit “regular image photographing preparation” completion information to controller  16  (step S 29 ).  
         [0098]     After communication section  161  of controller  16  receives “regular image photographing preparation” completion information transmitted in step S 29  (step S 30 ), CPU  1651  of controller  16  causes a prescribed portion of photographing control screen A ( FIG. 4 ) to display that preparation for regular image photographing has been completed (for example, text display such as “Photographing is ready” (step S 31 ).  
         [0099]     Then, CPU  1651  judges whether “S2” key A 4  displayed on photographing control screen A ( FIG. 4 ) has been depressed by user&#39;s operations on input section  164  or not (step S 32 ).  
         [0100]     In step S 32 , if “S2” key A 4  is judged not to have been depressed (step S 32 ; No), CPU  1651  repeats processing to be conducted in step S 32 .  
         [0101]     In step S 32 , on the other hand, if “S2” key A 4  is judged to have been depressed (step S 32 ; Yes), CPU  1651  stops preview image photographing processing ( FIG. 5 ) started in step S 24  (step S 33 ), and carries out first regular image photographing processing ( FIG. 6 ) which will be explained later (step S 34 ).  
         [0102]     Then, CPU  1651  judges whether “CLOSE” key A 6  displayed on photographing control screen A ( FIG. 4 ) by user&#39;s operations on input section  164 , for example, has been depressed or not, namely, whether the power for photographing apparatus  11  has been instructed to be turned off or not (step S 35 ).  
         [0103]     In step S 35 , if the power for photographing apparatus  11  is judged not to have been instructed to be turned off (step S 35 ; No), CPU  1651  repeats processing to be conducted in step S 24  and thereafter.  
         [0104]     In step S 35 , on the other hand, if the power for photographing apparatus  11  is judged to have been instructed to be turned off (step S 35 ; Yes), CPU  1651  causes communication completion negotiation to be conducted between communication section  161  and communication section  112  of photographing apparatus  11  (step S 36 ).  
         [0105]     After the communication completion negotiation has been completed in step S 36 , CPU  1651  of controller  16  causes communication section  161  of controller to transmit a “Power OFF” command to photographing apparatus  11  (step S 37 ).  
         [0106]     After communication section  112  of photographing apparatus  11  receives “Power OFF” command transmitted in step S 37  (step S 38 ), CPU  1141  of photographing apparatus  11  turns off the power for photographing apparatus  11  in accordance with the received “Power OFF” command (step S 39 ), and causes communication section  112  to transmit “Power OFF” completion information to controller  16  (step S 40 ) to complete the present processing.  
         [0107]     Then, when communication section  161  of controller  16  receives “Power OFF” completion information transmitted in step S 40  (step S 41 ), CPU  1651  of controller  16  terminates the present processing.  
         [0000]     (Preview Image Photographing Processing)  
         [0108]     Processing concerning preview image photographing by camera system  1  will be explained as follows, referring to the flow chart shown in  FIG. 5 .  
         [0109]     First, CPU  1651  of controller  16  executes preview image photographing control program  1653   a , and causes communication section  161  of controller  16  to transmit “preview image photographing” command to photographing apparatus  11  (step S 101 ).  
         [0110]     After communication section  112  of photographing apparatus  11  receives “preview image photographing” command transmitted in step S 101  (step S 102 ), CPU  1141  of photographing apparatus  11  causes photographing section  111  to execute preview image photographing in accordance with the received “preview image photographing” command (step S 103 ), and causes communication section  112  to transfer preview image data obtained by the preview image photographing to controller  16  (step S 104 ) to complete the present processing.  
         [0111]     After communication section  161  of controller  16  receives preview image data transferred in step S 104  (step S 105 ), CPU  1651  of controller  16  causes buffer  162  to store the received preview image data (step S 106 ), and displays preview image data stored in buffer  162  on image display screen A 1  of photographing control screen A ( FIG. 4 ) displayed on image display section  163  (step S 107 ) to complete the present processing.  
         [0000]     (First Regular Image Photographing Processing)  
         [0112]     Next, processing concerning regular image photographing by camera system  1  will be explained as follows, referring to the flow chart in  FIG. 6 .  
         [0113]     First, CPU  1651  of controller  16  executes regular image photographing control program  1653   a , then, displays latest preview image data stored in buffer  162  on image display screen A 1  of photographing control screen A ( FIG. 4 ) shown on image display section  163  (step S 111 ), and causes communication section  161  of controller  16  to transmit “regular image photographing” command to photographing apparatus  11  (step S 112 ).  
         [0114]     After communication section  112  of photographing apparatus  11  receives “regular image photographing” command transmitted in step S 112  (step S 113 ), CPU  1141  of photographing apparatus  11  causes photographing section  111  to execute regular image photographing in accordance with the received “regular image photographing” command (step S 114 ), then, causes memory section  113  to store regular image data obtained through the regular image photographing (step S 115 ) and causes communication section  112  to transfer regular image data obtained through the regular image photographing (step S 116 ) to terminate the present processing.  
         [0115]     Then, after communication section  161  of controller  16  receives regular image data transmitted in step S 116  (step S 117 ), CPU  1651  of controller  16  changes from latest preview image data stored in buffer  162  displayed in step S 111  to the received regular image data to display on image display screen A 1  of photographing control screen A ( FIG. 4 ) shown on image display section  163  (step S 118 ), and displays that the displayed image data are regular image data on a prescribed portion of photographing control screen A ( FIG. 4 ), in a prescribed display mode (for example, text display such as “These are regular images”), to terminate the present processing.  
         [0116]     In camera system  1  in the first embodiment explained above, when regular image photographing is instructed, it is possible to display preview image data which are obtained in advance (namely, stored in buffer  162  in advance) on image display section  163 . Namely, when regular image photographing is instructed, it is possible to display, for example, latest preview image data obtained immediately before the instruction, on image display section  163 . Therefore, an image which can be confirmed on the controller  16  side is not regular image itself, but is an image which is substantially the same as a regular image, whereby, an effect that is substantially the same as that in the case where the regular image itself is confirmed can be obtained, and when confirming the image taken by photographing apparatus  11  on the controller  16  side, the image can be confirmed rapidly, which is convenient for a user.  
         [0117]     Further, if regular image data are obtained, it is possible to change image data displayed on image display section  163  from preview image data obtained in advance into the obtained regular image data. Therefore, the regular image itself can be confirmed, thus, it is possible to confirm not only rapidly but also accurately, which is more convenient for a user.  
         [0118]     It is further possible to display that the displayed image data are regular image data, when image data shown on image display section  163  are changed to regular image data. Accordingly, it is possible to discriminate surly whether image data shown on image display section  163  are preview image data or regular image data, which is convenient for a user.  
       Second Embodiment  
       [0119]     Next, camera system  2  in the second embodiment will be explained.  
         [0000]     &lt;Structure of Camera System&gt; 
         [0120]     First, the structure of camera system  2  will be explained by reference to  FIG. 7 .  
         [0121]     The camera system  2  of the second embodiment is different from camera system  1  ( FIG. 1 ) of the first embodiment in terms of an only point that regular image data are stored on the controller side. Specifically, a part of the structure of photographing apparatus  11  ( FIG. 1 ), a part of the structure of controller  16  ( FIG. 1 ) and a part of the structure of control section  165  in controller  16  ( FIG. 1 ) are different. Accordingly, different points only will be explained, and other common portions are given the same symbols to be explained.  
         [0122]     Camera system  2  is composed, for example, of photographing apparatus  21  and controller  26  which are connected to each other through communication network N as shown in  FIG. 7 .  
         [0000]     &lt;Structure of Photographing Apparatus&gt; 
         [0123]     Photographing apparatus  21  is composed, for example, of photographing section  111 , communication section  112  and control section  114  as shown in  FIG. 7 . Respective portions are connected each other through bus  21 B.  
         [0000]     &lt;Structure of Controller&gt; 
         [0124]     Controller  26  is composed, for example, of communication section  161 , buffer  162 , image display section  163 , input section  164 , control section  265  and memory section  266  as shown in  FIG. 7 . Respective sections are connected each other through bus  26 B.  
         [0125]     Control section  265  is composed, for example, of CPU  1651 , RAM  1652  and ROM  2653  as shown in  FIG. 7 .  
         [0126]     ROM  2653  stores system programs practicable on controller  26 , various types of processing programs practicable with the system programs, data used in practicing these various types of processing programs and data of processing results computed by CPU  1651 . Incidentally, programs are stored in ROM  2653  in a form of a program code readable for a computer.  
         [0127]     Specifically, preview image photographing control program  1653   a  and regular image photographing control program  2653   b , for example, are stored in ROM  2653  as shown in  FIG. 7 .  
         [0128]     When regular image photographing is instructed by user&#39;s operations on input section  164 , for example, regular image photographing control program  2653   b  causes communication section  161  to transmit “regular image photographing” command to photographing apparatus  21 , then, displays preview image data obtained in advance (for example, latest preview image data stored in buffer  162  in advance) on image display section  163 , and after that, the regular image photographing control program  2653   b  causes CPU  1651  to realize a function to cause memory section  266  to store regular image data obtained by regular image photographing based on the “regular image photographing” command transferred from photographing apparatus  21 .  
         [0129]     Further, if regular image data by regular image photographing based on “regular image photographing” command are obtained from photographing apparatus  21 , for example, regular image photographing control program  2653   b  changes from preview image data obtained in advance to the obtained regular image data, and causes CPU  1651  to realize a function to display on image display section  163 .  
         [0130]     In this case, when displaying regular image data on image display section  163 , for example, the CPU  1651  is supposed to indicate that the displayed image data are regular image data, through the prescribed display mode.  
         [0131]     Memory section  266  is composed, for example, of a magnetic memory medium, an optical memory medium or a semiconductor memory.  
         [0132]     The memory section  266  stores regular image data obtained through regular image photographing by photographing apparatus  21 , in accordance with, for example, an instruction coming from control section  265 .  
         [0000]     &lt;Processing by Camera System&gt; 
         [0133]     Next, processing by camera system  2  will be explained.  
         [0134]     Incidentally, with respect to processing by camera system  2 , only regular image processing is different from processing by camera system  1  ( FIG. 2  and  FIG. 3 ). Specifically, the processing by camera system  2  is different from processing by camera system  1  ( FIG. 2  and  FIG. 3 ) in terms of only point that the second regular image processing ( FIG. 8 ) which will be described later is practiced in step S 34  of processing by camera system  1  ( FIG. 2  and  FIG. 3 ). Therefore, a different point only will be explained.  
         [0000]     (Second Regular Image Photographing Processing)  
         [0135]     Processing concerning regular image photographing by camera system  2  will be explained as follows, referring to the flow chart in  FIG. 8 .  
         [0136]     First, CPU  1651  of controller  26  carries out regular image photographing control program  2653   b , then, displays latest preview image data stored in buffer  162  on image display screen A 1  of photographing control screen A ( FIG. 4 ) shown on image display section  163  (step S 211 ), and causes communication section  161  of controller  26  to transmit “regular image photographing” command to photographing apparatus  21  (step S 212 ).  
         [0137]     After communication section  112  of photographing apparatus  21  receives “regular image photographing” command transmitted in step S 212  (step S 213 ), CPU  1141  of photographing apparatus  21  causes photographing section  111  to practice regular image photographing in accordance with the received “regular image photographing” command (step S 214 ) and causes communication section  112  to transfer regular image data obtained by the regular image photographing to controller  26  (step S 215 ), to terminate the present processing.  
         [0138]     Then, after communication section  161  of controller  26  receives regular image data transferred in step S 215  (step S 216 ), CPU  1651  of controller  26  causes memory section  266  to store the received regular image data (step S 217 ).  
         [0139]     Then, CPU  1651  changes from latest preview image data stored in buffer  162  displayed in step S 211  to the regular image data received in step S 216  to display on image display screen A 1  of photographing control screen A ( FIG. 4 ) shown on image display section  163  (step S 218 ), and displays that the displayed image data are regular image data on the prescribed portion of photographing control screen A ( FIG. 4 ) through the prescribed display mode, to terminate the present processing.  
         [0140]     In the camera system  2  in the second embodiment explained above, regular image data are stored on the controller  26  side, and therefore, processing of editing the regular image data becomes easy, which is convenient for a user.  
       Third Embodiment  
       [0141]     Next, camera system  3  in the third embodiment will be explained.  
         [0000]     &lt;Structure of Camera System&gt; 
         [0142]     First, the structure of camera system  3  will be explained as follows, referring to  FIG. 9 .  
         [0143]     Meanwhile, camera system  3  in the third embodiment is different from camera system  1  in the first embodiment ( FIG. 1 ) in terms of only point that regular image data to be transferred to a controller from a photographing apparatus are of low resolution. To be concrete, a part of the structure of photographing apparatus  11  ( FIG. 1 ), a part of the structure of photographing apparatus  11  ( FIG. 1 ), a part of the structure of communication section  112  and memory section  113  in photographing apparatus  11  ( FIG. 1 ) and a part of the structure of communication section  161  and control section  165  in controller  16  ( FIG. 1 ) are different. Accordingly, different points only will be explained, and other common portions are given the same symbols to be explained.  
         [0144]     The camera system  3  is composed, for example, of photographing apparatus  31  and controller  36  which are connected to each other through communication network N, as shown in  FIG. 9 .  
         [0000]     &lt;Structure of Photographing Apparatus&gt; 
         [0145]     Photographing apparatus  31  is provided, for example, with photographing section  111 , communication section  312 , memory section  313 , control section  114  and generating section  315 , as shown in  FIG. 9 . Respective portions are connected to each other through bus  31 B.  
         [0146]     Communication section  312  is connected with communication section  361  (described later) of controller  36  through communication network N, and it conducts transmitting and receiving for various types of information between itself and controller  36 .  
         [0147]     Specifically, the communication section  312  receives, for example, a prescribed control command coming from controller  36 .  
         [0148]     Further, the communication section  312  transfers preview image data obtained by though image photographing of photographing section  111  to controller  36 , in accordance with, for example, an instruction from control section  114  based on “preview image photographing” command coming from controller  36 .  
         [0149]     In addition, the communication section  312  transfers low resolution image data (described later) of regular images generated by generating section  315 , in accordance with, for example, an instruction from control section  114  based on “regular image photographing” command coming from controller  36 .  
         [0150]     Memory section  313  is composed, for example, of a magnetic memory medium, an optical memory medium or a semiconductor memory.  
         [0151]     The memory section  313  stores Exif (Exchangeable Image File Format) file (described later) of regular images generated by generating section  315  from regular image data obtained by regular image photographing of photographing section  111 , in accordance with, for example, an instruction from control section  114  based on “regular image photographing” command from controller  36 .  
         [0152]     Generating section  315  generates regular image data in a prescribed file format (for example, Exif file of regular images) from regular image data obtained by regular image photographing of photographing section  111 , in accordance, for example, with an instruction from control section  114  based on “regular image photographing” command from controller  36 .  
         [0153]     In this case, Exif file of regular images generated by generating section  315  includes, for example, regular image data and low resolution image data (for example, thumb-nail images) lower than the regular image data in terms of resolution. Namely, the generating section  315  can generate low resolution image data of regular images from regular image data obtained through regular image photographing by photographing section  111 , in accordance with an instruction from control section  114  based on #regular image photographing” command from controller  36 .  
         [0000]     &lt;Structure of Controller&gt; 
         [0154]     Controller  36  is provided with, for example, communication section  361 , buffer  162 , image display section  163 , input section  164  and control section  365 , as shown in  FIG. 9 . Respective sections are connected to each other through bus  36 B.  
         [0155]     Communication section  361  is connected with communication section  312  of photographing apparatus  31  through communication network N, and it conducts transmitting and receiving for various types of information between itself and photographing apparatus  31 .  
         [0156]     Specifically, communication section  361  transmits a prescribed control command to photographing apparatus  31 , in accordance with an instruction from, for example, control section  365 .  
         [0157]     Further, the communication section  361  receives, for example, preview image data or low resolution image data of regular images transferred from photographing apparatus  31 .  
         [0158]     The control section  365  is provided with, for example, CPU  1651 , RAM  1652  and ROM  3653 , as shown in  FIG. 9 .  
         [0159]     ROM  3653  stores system programs practicable on controller  36 , various types of processing programs practicable with the system programs, data used in practicing these various types of processing programs and data of processing results computed by CPU  1651 . Incidentally, programs are stored in ROM  3653  in a form of a program code readable for a computer.  
         [0160]     Specifically, preview image photographing control program  1653   a  and regular image photographing control program  3653   b , for example, are stored in ROM  3653  as shown in  FIG. 9 .  
         [0161]     When regular image photographing is instructed by user&#39;s operations on input section  164 , for example, regular image photographing control program  3653   b  causes communication section  361  to transmit “regular image photographing” command to photographing apparatus  31 , and then, causes CPU  1651  to realize a function to display low resolution image data of regular images obtained by regular image photographing based on the “regular image photographing” command transferred from photographing apparatus  31  on image display section  163 .  
         [0162]     In this case, when displaying low resolution image data of regular images on image display section  163 , for example, the CPU  1651  is supposed to indicate that the displayed low resolution image data are regular image data, through the prescribed display mode.  
         [0163]     Specifically, CPU  1651  causes, for example, image display section  163  to display text display such as “these are regular images” and symbol display which tells that these are generated from regular image data, together with low resolution image data of regular images.  
         [0000]     &lt;Processing by Camera System&gt; 
         [0164]     Next, processing by camera system  3  will be explained.  
         [0165]     Incidentally, with respect to processing by camera system  3 , only regular image processing is different from processing by camera system  1  ( FIG. 2  and  FIG. 3 ). Specifically, the processing by camera system  3  is different from processing by camera system  1  ( FIG. 2  and  FIG. 3 ) in terms of only point that the third regular image processing ( FIG. 10 ) which will be described later is practiced in step S 34  of processing by camera system  1  ( FIG. 2  and  FIG. 3 ). Therefore, a different point only will be explained.  
         [0000]     (Third Regular Image Photographing Processing)  
         [0166]     Processing concerning regular image photographing by camera system  3  will be explained as follows, referring to the flow chart in  FIG. 10 .  
         [0167]     First, CPU  1651  of controller  36  carries out regular image photographing control program  2653   b , and causes communication section  361  of controller  36  to transmit “regular image photographing” command to photographing apparatus  31  (step S 311 ).  
         [0168]     After communication section  312  of photographing apparatus  31  receives “regular image photographing” command transmitted in step S 311  (step S 312 ), CPU  1141  of photographing apparatus  31  causes photographing section  111  to practice regular image photographing in accordance with the received “regular image photographing” command (step S 313 ), then, causes generating section  315  to generate Exif file of regular images from regular image data obtained by the regular image photographing (step S 314 ), then, causes memory section  313  to store the generated Exif file of regular images (step S 315 ), then, extracts low resolution image data of regular images from the generated Exif file of regular images (step S 316 ), and causes communication section  312  to transfer the extracted low resolution image data of regular images to controller  36  (step S 317 ), to terminate the present processing.  
         [0169]     Then, after communication section  361  of controller  36  receives low resolution image data of regular images transferred in step S 317  (step S 318 ), CPU  1651  of controller  36  causes the received low resolution image data of regular images to be displayed on image display screen A 1  of photographing control screen A ( FIG. 4 ) shown on image display section  163  (step S 319 ), and makes that the displayed image data are those generated from regular image data to be displayed on a prescribed portion of photographing control screen A ( FIG. 4 ) through the prescribed display mode, to terminate the present processing.  
         [0170]     In camera system  3  in the third embodiment explained above, when regular image photographing is instructed, it is possible to display low resolution image data of regular images generated on the photographing apparatus  31  side. Namely, since low resolution image data of regular images to be displayed on image display section  163  is less than regular image data in terms of data amount, they can be displayed more rapidly than regular image data, whereby, when confirming the image taken on photographing apparatus  31  on the controller  36  side, the confirmation can be carried out rapidly, which is convenient for a user.  
         [0171]     Further, when displaying low resolution image data of regular images on image display section  163 , it is possible to display that the image data are those generated from regular image data. Therefore, it is possible to judge surely whether image data shown on image display section  163  are preview image data or data generated from regular image data, which is convenient for a user.  
         [0172]     Memory section  113  is provided on photographing apparatus  11  in the first embodiment, memory section  266  is provided on controller  26  in the second embodiment and memory section  313  is provided on photographing apparatus  31  in the third embodiment. Namely, a memory section to store regular image data and a photographing apparatus are united solidly as one body, or a memory section to store regular image data and a controller are united solidly as one body. However, the memory section and the photographing apparatus may also be separate each other, or the memory section and the controller may also be separate each other.  
         [0173]     Though the latest preview image data obtained in advance are displayed when regular image photographing is instructed in the first embodiment, image data to be displayed when regular image photographing is instructed may be optional, provided that they are preview image data obtained in advance (namely, those stored in buffer  162  in advance).  
         [0174]     The same may apply also to the second embodiment.  
         [0175]     Though regular image data are transferred from photographing apparatus  11  to controller  16  in the first embodiment, regular image data do not always need to be transferred to controller  16 . When the regular image data are not transferred to controller  16 , the regular image data are not naturally displayed on image display section  163 .  
         [0176]     Though regular image data are stored and displayed on the controller  16  side in the second embodiment, the regular image data have only to be stored on the controller  16 , side to say the least.  
         [0177]     Though regular image data are stored in memory section  113  of photographing apparatus  11  in the first embodiment, the invention is not limited to this, and it is also possible to arrange so that Exif file of regular images may be generated from regular image data on the photographing apparatus  11  side, for example, and thereby the generated Exif file of regular images may be stored in the memory section  113 .  
         [0178]     Further, though regular image data are stored in memory section  226  of controller  26  in the second embodiment, the invention is not limited to this, and it is also possible to arrange so that Exif file of regular images may be generated from regular image data on the photographing apparatus  21  side or on the controller  26  side, for example, and thereby the generated Exif file of regular images may be stored in the memory section  266 .  
         [0179]     Though Exif file of regular images can be generated in generating section  315  in the third embodiment, the generating section  315  has only to be capable of generating, from at least regular image data, low resolution image data which are lower than the regular image data in terms of resolving power, and it is not always necessary to generate Exif file of regular images. When low resolution image data of regular images only are generated by generating section  315 , and Exif file of regular images is not generated, regular image data are stored in memory section  313  of photographing apparatus  31 , in the same way as in memory section  113  of the first embodiment.  
         [0180]     In the first embodiment, photographing apparatus  11  and controller  16  may also be connected directly each other through a cable (for example, USB (Universal Serial Bus) cable) representing a communication means, for example, without being connected through communication network N representing a communication means.  
         [0181]     The same applies to the second embodiment and the third embodiment.