Patent Description:
In recent years, digital cameras that can develop and transfer captured images on the spot are known. However, depending on a communication environment in which images are transferred, a communication speed may be slow, and it may take time to finish the transfer of the images. For example, in a communication environment in which the communication speed is slow, when a plurality of captured images are sequentially transferred, images on standby for transfer accumulate. In cases where the images on standby for transfer have accumulated to a certain amount, new images cannot be transferred until the transfer of the accumulated images has finished. <CIT> discloses a technique in which, to solve such a problem, a priority transfer target for which transfer is to be prioritized can be set, and the set priority transfer target is transferred ahead of an already present transfer target image.

Incidentally, in image capturing in a sports stadium or the like, for example, there are cases where image capturing is performed using a linked image capturing function for simultaneous release on a plurality of cameras. Images on standby for transfer may accumulate in accordance with the communication environment even in cases where images captured by a plurality of cameras using the linked image capturing function are sequentially transferred to a predetermined apparatus through a communication network. In the technique disclosed in <CIT>, the user has to find the images of the same shot in each of the cameras and set the images as priority transfer targets in order to prioritize transfer of each of the images captured by the plurality of cameras. Document <CIT> discloses a communication apparatus that, in response to a first operation of pressing both a first operation member and a second operation member being performed during display of an image, designates the image being displayed as an image to be transferred, which is to be transferred to the external apparatus, and in response to a second operation that is different from the first operation and uses a plurality of operation members being performed, designates the image being displayed as an image to be priority transferred, which is to be transferred with greater priority than the image to be transferred. The plurality of operation members to be used in the second operation include at least one of the first operation member and the second operation member. Document <CIT> discloses an apparatus for controlling image capturing including circuitry to control image capturing operation of each one of a first image capturing device and a second image capturing device, so as to cause the first image capturing device and the second image capturing device to cooperate with each other to perform linked image capturing, the first image capturing device capable of capturing an image with an angle of view wider than that of the second image capturing device. The circuitry controls one of the first image capturing device and the second image capturing device to start image capturing in response to starting of image capturing by other one of the first image capturing device and the second image capturing device.

The present disclosure has been made in view of the above techniques, and one objective thereof is to realize a technique in which it is possible to prioritize transfer of an image that was captured in linkage with an image set as a priority transfer target by another image capturing apparatus.

The present invention in its first aspect provides an image capturing apparatus as specified in claims <NUM> to <NUM>.

The present invention in its second aspect provides a method of controlling an image capturing apparatus as specified in claim <NUM>.

The present invention in its third aspect provides a computer program as specified in claim <NUM>.

Further features of various embodiments of the present disclosure will become apparent from the following description of exemplary embodiments (with reference to the attached drawings).

Note, the following embodiments are not intended to limit the scope of every embodiment. Multiple features are described in the embodiments, but limitation is not made to an embodiment that requires all such features, and multiple such features may be combined as appropriate.

<FIG> illustrate external views of a digital camera as one example of an image capturing apparatus according to the present embodiment. <FIG> is a front perspective view of a digital camera <NUM>, and <FIG> is a rear perspective view of the digital camera <NUM>.

A display unit <NUM> is a display unit arranged on the rear surface of the digital camera <NUM>, and displays images and various kinds of information. A touch panel 70a can detect a touch operation on a display surface (touch operation surface) of the display unit <NUM>. An out-of-viewfinder display unit <NUM> is a display unit arranged on the upper surface of the digital camera <NUM>, and displays various setting values of the digital camera <NUM>, such as a shutter speed or an aperture. A shutter button <NUM> is an operation member for performing an image capturing instruction. A mode-switching switch <NUM> is an operation member for switching between various modes. A terminal cover <NUM> is a cover for protecting a connector (not shown) with a connection cable or the like for connecting the digital camera <NUM> to an external device.

A main electronic dial <NUM> is a rotational operation member, and can be used to change a setting value, such as the shutter speed or the aperture, by being rotated. A power switch <NUM> is an operation member that switches the power of the digital camera <NUM> ON and OFF. A sub-electronic dial <NUM> is a rotational operation member, and can be used to move a selection frame (cursor), scroll through images, or the like by being rotated. A four-directional key <NUM> is configured to be able to be pressed in each of upper, lower, left, and right portions, and can be used to perform processing in accordance with the pressed portion of the four-directional key <NUM>. A SET button <NUM> is a press button, and is mainly used to determine a selection item and the like.

A moving image button <NUM> is used for an instruction to start or stop a moving image capture (recording). An AE lock button <NUM> is a press button, and an exposure state can be fixed by pressing the AE lock button <NUM> in an image capture standby state. An enlarge button <NUM> is an operation button for switching an enlargement mode on and off in a live view display (LV display) of an image capturing mode. A live view image (LV image) can be enlarged or reduced by turning on the enlargement mode and then operating the main electronic dial <NUM>. In a playback mode, the enlarge button <NUM> functions as an operation button for enlarging a playback image and causing the enlargement factor to increase. A playback button <NUM> is an operation button for switching between the image capturing mode and the playback mode. By pressing the playback button <NUM> while in the image capturing mode, it is possible to transition into the playback mode and cause the latest image among the images recorded on a recording medium <NUM> (described later) to be displayed on the display unit <NUM>. A menu button <NUM> is a press button used for performing an instruction operation for causing a menu screen to be displayed, and when the menu button <NUM> is pressed, a menu screen on which various settings can be made is displayed on the display unit <NUM>. A user can intuitively perform various settings using the menu screen displayed on the display unit <NUM>, the four-directional key <NUM>, and the SET button <NUM>.

A touch bar <NUM> (a multi-function bar: M-Fn bar) is a line-shaped touch operation member (line touch sensor) capable of receiving a touch operation. The touch bar <NUM> is arranged at a position where a touch operation is possible (a touchable position) with the thumb of the right hand in a state where a grip portion <NUM> is gripped by the right hand such that the shutter button <NUM> can be pressed with the index finger of the right hand (a state in which the grip portion is gripped by the pinky finger, the ring finger, and the middle finger of the right hand). That is, the touch bar <NUM> is arranged at a position where it can be operated in a state (image capturing orientation) in which the camera is held so that the user is able to view the viewfinder by bringing their eye close to an eyepiece portion <NUM> and press the shutter button <NUM> at any time. The touch bar <NUM> is a reception unit capable of receiving a tap operation (an operation of releasing without moving within a predetermined period of time by touching) on the touch bar <NUM>, a slide operation to the left and right (an operation touching then moving the touch position while touching), and the like. The touch bar <NUM> is an operation member that differs from the touch panel 70a and does not have a display function.

A communication terminal <NUM> is a communication terminal for communicating with a lens unit <NUM> side to and from which the digital camera <NUM> can be attached and detached. The eyepiece portion <NUM> is an eyepiece portion of an eyepiece viewfinder <NUM> (a look-though type viewfinder), and the user can visually recognize a video image displayed on a built-in Electronic ViewFinder (EVF) <NUM> via the eyepiece portion <NUM>. An eye proximity detection unit <NUM> is an eye proximity detection sensor that detects whether or not a user (photographer) has brought their eye close to the eyepiece portion <NUM>. A lid <NUM> is a lid for a slot in which the recording medium <NUM> (described later) is stored. The grip portion <NUM> is a holding portion that is shaped to be easily gripped by the right hand when the user holds the digital camera <NUM>. The shutter button <NUM> and the main electronic dial <NUM> are arranged at positions at which they can be operated by the index finger of the right hand in a state where the digital camera <NUM> is held by holding the grip portion <NUM> with the pinky finger, the ring finger, and the middle finger of the right hand. In addition, in the same state, the sub-electronic dial <NUM> and the touch bar <NUM> are arranged at positions that can be operated by the thumb of the right hand. A thumbrest portion <NUM> (a thumb standby position) is a grip member arranged at a position on the rear surface side of the digital camera <NUM> where the thumb of the right hand holding the grip portion <NUM> is easily placed in a state where no operation member is operated. The thumbrest portion <NUM> is configured by a rubber member or the like for enhancing the holding force (grip feel).

Next, a functional configuration example of the digital camera <NUM> will be described with reference to <FIG>. The lens unit <NUM> is a lens unit on which an interchangeable image capturing lens is mounted. A lens <NUM> is normally configured using a plurality of lenses, but only one lens is shown in <FIG> for simplicity. A communication terminal <NUM> is a communication terminal for the lens unit <NUM> to communicate with the digital camera <NUM> side, and a communication terminal <NUM> is a communication terminal for the digital camera <NUM> to communicate with the lens unit <NUM> side. The lens unit <NUM> communicates with a system control unit <NUM> via the communication terminals <NUM> and <NUM>. Also, the lens unit <NUM> controls an aperture <NUM> via an aperture driving circuit <NUM> by an internal lens system control circuit <NUM>. In addition, the lens unit <NUM> aligns a focus by displacing the position of the lens <NUM> via an AF driving circuit <NUM> by the lens system control circuit <NUM>. A shutter <NUM> is, for example, a focal plane shutter capable of freely controlling the exposure time of an image capturing unit <NUM> under the control of the system control unit <NUM>.

The image capturing unit <NUM> is an image capturing element (image sensor) configured by a CCD, a CMOS device, or the like that converts an optical image into an electric signal. The image capturing unit <NUM> may include an image capturing plane phase sensor that outputs defocus amount information to the system control unit <NUM>. An A/D converter <NUM> converts an analog signal outputted from the image capturing unit <NUM> into a digital signal.

The image processing unit <NUM> performs predetermined processing (pixel interpolation, resizing processing such as reduction, color-conversion processing, and the like) on data from the A/D converter <NUM> or data from the memory control unit <NUM>. Further, the image processing unit <NUM> performs predetermined computational processing by using the captured image data, and the system control unit <NUM> performs exposure control or distance measurement control based on the computation result obtained by the image processing unit <NUM>. Thereby, through-the-lens (TTL) method autofocus (AF) processing, automatic exposure (AE) processing, pre-flash (EF) processing, and the like are performed. The image processing unit <NUM> further performs predetermined computational processing using the captured image data, and performs AWB (auto white balance) processing of a TTL method based on the obtained computation result.

Data outputted from the A/D converter <NUM> is written to a memory <NUM> via the image processing unit <NUM> and the memory control unit <NUM>. Alternatively, data outputted from the A/D converter <NUM> is written into the memory <NUM> through the memory control unit <NUM> without going through the image processing unit <NUM>. The memory <NUM> stores image data that was obtained by the image capturing unit <NUM> and converted into digital data by the A/D converter <NUM>, and stores image data for display on the display unit <NUM> or the EVF <NUM>. The memory <NUM> has a storage capacity sufficient to store a predetermined number of still images or moving images and sound of a predetermined period of time.

Also, the memory <NUM> functions as a memory (video memory) for image display. A D/A converter <NUM> converts data for image display stored in the memory <NUM> into an analog signal, and then supplies the analog signal to the display unit <NUM> or the EVF <NUM>. In this way, the data for image display written in the memory <NUM> is displayed by the display unit <NUM> or the EVF <NUM> via the D/A converter <NUM>. Each of the display unit <NUM> and the EVF <NUM> is a display such as an LCD or an organic EL, and performs display in accordance with an analog signal from the D/A converter <NUM>. A live view display (LV) can be performed by converting a digital signal, which is the result of an A/D conversion by the A/D converter <NUM> and which has been stored in the memory <NUM>, into an analog signal in the D/A converter <NUM> and then sequentially transferring the digital signal to the display unit <NUM> or EVF <NUM> for display. Hereinafter, an image displayed in the live view display is referred to as a live view image (LV image).

The system control unit <NUM> is a control unit including at least one processor and/or at least one circuit, and controls the digital camera <NUM> overall. The system control unit <NUM> executes a program recorded in a nonvolatile memory <NUM> to realize each process of the present embodiments that are described later. The system control unit <NUM> also performs display control by controlling the memory <NUM>, the D/A converter <NUM>, the display unit <NUM>, the EVF <NUM>, and the like.

A system memory <NUM> is, for example, a RAM, and the system control unit <NUM> loads into the system memory <NUM> constants, variables, programs read from the nonvolatile memory <NUM>, and the like for the operation of the system control unit <NUM>.

The nonvolatile memory <NUM> is an electrically erasable and recordable memory such as an EEPROM, for example. In the nonvolatile memory <NUM>, constants, programs, and the like for the operation of the system control unit <NUM> are recorded. The programs referred to here are programs for executing the various flowcharts described later in the present embodiments.

A system timer <NUM> is a time measurement unit that measures time used in various types of control or measures the time of an internal clock.

A communication unit <NUM> transmits and receives video signals and audio signals to and from an external device connected wirelessly or by a wired cable. The communication unit <NUM> can also be connected to a wireless Local Area Network (LAN) or the Internet. The communication unit <NUM> is also capable of communicating with an external device by Bluetooth® or Bluetooth Low Energy. The communication unit <NUM> can transmit an image (including an LV image) captured by the image capturing unit <NUM> or an image recorded on the recording medium <NUM>, and can receive image data and various other types of information from an external device.

An orientation detection unit <NUM> detects the orientation of the digital camera <NUM> with respect to the direction of gravity. Based on the orientation detected by the orientation detection unit <NUM>, it is possible to determine whether the image captured by the image capturing unit <NUM> is an image captured when holding the digital camera <NUM> horizontally or an image captured when holding the digital camera vertically. The system control unit <NUM> can add direction information in accordance with the orientation detected by the orientation detection unit <NUM> to an image file of an image captured by the image capturing unit <NUM> and can rotate an image and then record the image. An acceleration sensor, a gyro sensor, or the like can be used as the orientation detection unit <NUM>. The motion of the digital camera <NUM> (whether it is panning, tilting, lifting, stationary, or the like) can also be detected by using an acceleration sensor or a gyro sensor which are the orientation detection unit <NUM>.

The eye proximity detection unit <NUM> is an eye proximity detection sensor that detects (approach detection) an approach (eye proximity) and separation (eye separation) of an eye (object) with respect to the eyepiece portion <NUM> of the eyepiece viewfinder <NUM> (hereinafter, simply referred to as a "viewfinder"). The system control unit <NUM> switches a display (displayed state) and a non-display (non-displayed state) of the display unit <NUM> and the EVF <NUM> in accordance with the state detected by the eye proximity detection unit <NUM>. More specifically, in a case where the camera is at least in the image capture standby state and a switching setting of a display destination is automatically switched, display is turned on with the display destination as the display unit <NUM> and the EVF <NUM> is made to not display when the user's eye is not close. Also, when the user's eye is close, the display is turned on with the display destination as the EVF <NUM> and the display unit <NUM> is made to not display. For example, an infrared proximity sensor can be used as the eye proximity detection unit <NUM>, and it is possible to detect the approach of any object to the eyepiece portion <NUM> of the viewfinder <NUM> into which the EVF <NUM> is built. In the case of an object approaching, the infrared rays projected from a light projecting unit (not shown) of the eye proximity detection unit <NUM> are reflected by the object and received by a light receiving unit (not shown) of the infrared proximity sensor. Depending on the amount of received infrared rays, it is also possible to determine what distance the object has approached the eyepiece portion <NUM> (eye proximity distance) to. As described above, the eye proximity detection unit <NUM> performs eye proximity detection for detecting a proximity distance of an object to the eyepiece portion <NUM>. In a case where an object is detected to have approached the eyepiece portion <NUM> to within a predetermined distance from a state in which the user's eye is not close (non-approached state), it is assumed that eye proximity has been detected. In a case where the object whose proximity has been detected moves away more than a predetermined distance from a state in which the user's eye is close (approached state), it is assumed that eye separation has been detected. A threshold value for detecting eye proximity and a threshold value for detecting eye separation may be different, for example, by providing hysteresis or the like. Also, after eye proximity has been detected, it is assumed that a state in which the user's eye is close has been entered until eye separation is detected. After eye separation has been detected, it is assumed that a state in which the user's eye is not close has been entered until eye proximity is detected. Note that the infrared proximity sensor is only one example, and configuration may be taken such that other sensors are employed as the eye proximity detection unit <NUM> as long as they can detect a state that can be regarded as eye proximity.

Various setting values of the camera, such as the shutter speed or the aperture, are displayed on the out-of-viewfinder display unit <NUM> via an out-of-viewfinder display unit driving circuit <NUM>.

A power supply control unit <NUM> includes a battery detection circuit, a DC-DC converter, a switching circuit for switching a block to be powered, and the like, and the power supply control unit <NUM> detects whether or not a battery is attached, a type of a battery, a remaining battery amount, and the like. In addition, the power supply control unit <NUM> controls the DC-DC converter based on the detection result and an instruction from the system control unit <NUM>, and supplies a required voltage to each unit, including the recording medium <NUM>, for a required period. A power supply unit <NUM> includes a primary battery, such as an alkaline battery or a lithium battery; a secondary battery, such as an NiCd battery, an NiMH battery, or an Li battery; an AC adapter; and the like.

A recording medium I/F <NUM> is an interface with the recording medium <NUM> such as a memory card or a hard disk. The recording medium <NUM> is a recording medium such as a memory card for recording a captured image, and is configured using a semiconductor memory, a magnetic disk, or the like.

An operation unit <NUM> is an input unit that receives an operation (user instruction) from the user, and is used for inputting various operation instructions to the system control unit <NUM>. As illustrated in <FIG>, the operation unit <NUM> includes the shutter button <NUM>, the mode-switching switch <NUM>, the power switch <NUM>, the touch panel 70a, other operation members 70b, and the like. In the other operation members 70b, the main electronic dial <NUM>, the sub-electronic dial <NUM>, the four-directional key <NUM>, the SET button <NUM>, the moving image button <NUM>, the AE lock button <NUM>, the enlarge button <NUM>, a playback button <NUM>, the menu button <NUM>, the touch bar <NUM>, and the like are included.

The shutter button <NUM> includes a first shutter switch <NUM> and a second shutter switch <NUM>. The first shutter switch <NUM> is turned ON by a so-called half-press (image capture preparation instruction) while the shutter button <NUM> is being operated, and generates a first shutter switch signal SW1. The system control unit <NUM> starts an image capture preparation operation such as autofocus (AF) processing, automatic exposure (AE) processing, auto white balance (AWB) processing, and pre-flash (EF) processing by the first shutter switch signal SW1.

The second shutter switch <NUM> is turned ON when the shutter button <NUM> is completely operated, a so-called full-press (an image capturing instruction), and generates a second shutter switch signal SW2. Upon the second shutter switch signal SW2, the system control unit <NUM> starts operation of a series of image capture processes from the signal being read from the image capturing unit <NUM> to the captured image being written as an image file to the recording medium <NUM>.

The mode-switching switch <NUM> switches the operation mode of the system control unit <NUM> to any one of a still image capturing mode, a moving image capturing mode, a playback mode, and the like. An automatic image capturing mode, an automatic scene discrimination mode, a manual mode, an aperture priority mode (Av mode), a shutter speed priority mode (Tv mode), and a program AE mode (P mode) are present as modes included in the still image capturing mode. In addition, there are various scene modes, custom modes, and the like, which are image capturing settings for additional image capturing scenes. The mode-switching switch <NUM> allows the user to switch directly to any one of these modes. Alternatively, configuration may be taken such that a mode is selectively switched to any one of the plurality of displayed modes by using another operation member after temporarily switching to an image capturing mode list screen by the mode-switching switch <NUM>. Similarly, the moving image capturing mode may include a plurality of modes.

The touch panel 70a is a touch sensor that detects various types of touch operations on the display surface of the display unit <NUM> (an operation surface of the touch panel 70a). The touch panel 70a and the display unit <NUM> can be integrally configured. For example, the touch panel 70a is configured so that light transmittance does not interfere with the display of the display unit <NUM>, and the touch panel 70a is attached to the upper layer of the display surface of the display unit <NUM>. Also, input coordinates on the touch panel 70a are associated with display coordinates on the display surface of the display unit <NUM>. Accordingly, a graphical user interface (GUI) that enables the user to directly operate the screen displayed on the display unit <NUM> can be provided.

Next, a network configuration example according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to <FIG>. In <FIG>, a reception apparatus <NUM> is one example of a communication apparatus, such as a server, that accumulates received image data and the like. For example, configuration may be taken such that the reception apparatus <NUM> includes at least a communication unit capable of transmitting and receiving data via the Internet, a wired LAN, or a wireless LAN; a recording medium including a non-volatile semiconductor memory, a hard disk, or the like; a processor; and a memory. In a case where the plurality of digital cameras <NUM> communicate via a communication path <NUM> to perform linked image capturing (described later), each of the digital cameras <NUM> transmit captured images to the reception apparatus <NUM> via the communication path <NUM>. The reception apparatus <NUM> receives the images transferred from each of the digital cameras <NUM> by the communication unit, and the reception apparatus <NUM> stores the received images in the recording medium.

The communication path <NUM> may be any communication path configured wirelessly or by a wired cable, and the plurality of digital cameras <NUM> and the reception apparatus <NUM> can transmit and receive data. Note, a configuration in which an operation performed by an arbitrary digital camera <NUM> is notified to another digital camera <NUM> is shown as an example in the description of the present embodiment, and it is assumed that all the digital cameras <NUM> perform the same processing. Configuration may be taken such that a portion of the processing can be omitted as long as the operation performed by the specific digital camera <NUM> is instructed to another digital camera <NUM>.

In the present embodiment, the digital camera <NUM> is communicatively connected to other digital cameras and can execute linked image capturing. Hereinafter, the operation of the connection processing for linked image capturing according to the present embodiment is described with reference to <FIG>. A digital camera that executes the present processing is described as reference numeral 100a and another digital camera is described as reference numeral 100b in order to distinguish between a digital camera that executes the present processing and another digital camera. Note that configuration may be taken such that the other digital camera 100b is a plurality of digital cameras that are communicatively connected. Also, the processing of <FIG> is executed not only in the digital camera 100a but also in the other digital cameras. Each process in the flowchart of <FIG> is realized in the digital camera 100a by the system control unit <NUM> loading a program stored in the nonvolatile memory <NUM> into the system memory <NUM> and then executing the program.

In step S400-<NUM>, the system control unit <NUM> initializes information of the digital cameras, which will be deemed as targets of linked image capturing, stored in the system memory <NUM>. In step S400-<NUM>, the system control unit <NUM> determines whether or not an instruction for starting linked image capturing has been issued by a user by the operation unit <NUM> being operated. In a case where an instruction to start linked image capturing has been issued, the processing from step S401 onward is executed. In step S401, the system control unit <NUM> transmits a linked image capturing start message, indicating that the digital camera 100a will start linked image capturing, to the other digital camera 100b via the communication unit <NUM>. The system control unit <NUM> transmits a start message for starting linked image capturing. The start message includes identification information (a nickname or an IP address) of the digital camera 100a that is the transmission source of the start message, a release count indicating the number of images captured before the start of the linked image capturing, and a present time.

In step S402, the system control unit <NUM> waits for the reception of a message for linked image capturing transmitted from the other digital camera 100b. When the system control unit <NUM> receives the message for linked image capturing, the processing advances to step S403. In step S403, the system control unit <NUM> determines whether the message received in step S402 is a message for starting the linked image capturing. In a case where the received message is a start message (Yes), the system control unit <NUM> advances the processing to step S404, and otherwise advances the processing to step S406 (No). The digital camera 100a ends up receiving the start message by the processing of step S401 having been performed in the other digital camera.

In step S404, the system control unit <NUM> responds to the start message by transmitting a permission message indicating that the linked image capturing is permitted to the other digital camera 100b, which is the transmission source of the start message received in step S402. Identification information (a nickname or an IP address), for example, of the digital camera 100a, which is the transmission source of the permission message, is included in the permission message for permitting the linked image capturing, and then the message is transmitted. In addition, the permission message includes a release count indicating the number of images captured by the digital camera 100a before the start of the linked image capturing, a present time, and an index indicating an order in which cameras joined the linked image capturing. It also includes an index to be added to the digital camera 100b, which is the transmission source of the start message.

In step S405, the system control unit <NUM> stores a portion of the message for starting the linked image capturing received in step S402 as information of the digital camera 100b, with which the digital camera 100a is to perform the linked image capturing, in the system memory <NUM> as linked image capturing information of the digital camera 100b. Note, in a case where the data of the digital camera 100a has not been recorded as linked image capturing information <NUM>, the data of the digital camera 100a is recorded.

<FIG> illustrates one example of the linked image capturing information <NUM>, which is stored in the system memory <NUM>, of digital cameras which are to perform the linked image capturing. In <FIG>, each row indicates a respective digital camera that is to perform linked image capturing, and each column indicates information of the digital camera. Reference numeral <NUM> denotes an index indicating an order in which cameras joined the linked image capturing. Reference numeral <NUM> denotes a nickname of a digital camera which is a transmission source of the message for starting the linked image capturing (received in step S402). Reference numeral <NUM> denotes an IP address of a digital camera which is a transmission source of the received message for starting the linked image capturing. Reference numeral <NUM> denotes a release count indicating the number of images captured by a digital camera at a time when the linked image capturing start message was received. The system control unit <NUM> can calculate the number of images captured in linkage with each camera based on the difference between the release count <NUM> and a latest release count. For example, if the latest release count is <NUM>, it can be understood that the camera having the index <NUM> of "<NUM>" has captured <NUM> images by linked image capturing. Also, it can be understood that the camera having the index <NUM> of "<NUM>" has captured <NUM> images by linked image capturing and the camera having the index <NUM> of "<NUM>" has captured <NUM> image by linked image capturing.

Reference numeral <NUM> denotes a time point when a digital camera received the message for starting the linked image capturing (in step S402). Reference numerals <NUM> and <NUM> denote information included in the message for starting linked image capturing (received in step S402). The reference numeral <NUM> denotes a release count indicating the number of images captured before the digital camera, which is the transmission source, started the linked image capturing. The reference numeral <NUM> denotes a time at which the digital camera, which is a transmission source, started the linked image capturing.

Reference numeral <NUM> denotes data indicating a digital camera that initially started the linked image capturing. Information included in the permission message for the linked image capturing received in step S407 is held in the data <NUM>. This information includes the index <NUM>, the nickname <NUM>, the IP address <NUM>, the release count <NUM>, the time <NUM>, and the release count <NUM> and the time <NUM> when a message is received.

Reference numeral <NUM> denotes data indicating the digital camera <NUM> holding the information illustrated in <FIG>. "<FIG>" of the index <NUM>, the nickname <NUM>, the IP address <NUM>, the release count <NUM>, and the time <NUM> received from the digital camera <NUM> that initially started the linked image capturing are held in data <NUM>.

Reference numeral <NUM> denotes data indicating the digital camera <NUM> that started linked image capturing after the digital camera <NUM> holding the information shown in <FIG>. The index <NUM> added in step S404 is held in the data <NUM>. The nickname <NUM>, the IP address <NUM>, the release count <NUM>, the time <NUM>, and the release count <NUM> and the time <NUM> when the message was received, which are included in the message for starting the linked image capturing received in step S402, are held in the data <NUM>.

In step S406, the system control unit <NUM> determines whether the message received in step S402 is a message for permitting the linked image capturing. In a case where the received message is determined to be a permission message (Yes), the system control unit <NUM> advances the processing to step S407, and otherwise the system control unit <NUM> advances the processing to step S408 (No). In step S407, the system control unit <NUM> records to the system memory <NUM> the digital camera 100b, which is the transmission source of the permission message, as a target of linked image capturing and as information of a digital camera with which linked image capturing is to be performed (<NUM>). Also, the data (<NUM>) of the digital camera 100a for which permission for the linked image capturing was acquired is stored in the system memory <NUM> as the linked image capturing information <NUM>. Note, in a case where data of the digital camera 100a has already been recorded as the linked image capturing information <NUM>, the data of the digital camera 100a is not recorded.

In step S408, the system control unit <NUM> determines whether the message received in step S402 is a message for canceling the linked image capturing. In a case where the received message is determined to be a cancellation message (Yes), the system control unit <NUM> advances the processing to step S409, and otherwise advances the processing to step S410 (No).

In step S409, the system control unit <NUM> deletes the data of the digital camera 100b, which is the transmission source of the message for cancellation of the linked image capturing, from the linked image capturing information <NUM> in the system memory <NUM>. In step S410, the system control unit <NUM> stores the message in the system memory <NUM> as a remote control event such as an instruction to execute linked image capturing or an instruction for priority transfer of an image.

In step S411, the system control unit <NUM> determines whether or not the linked image capturing has ended. In a case where it is determined that the linked image capturing has ended (e.g., by a user instruction or the like) (Yes), the system control unit <NUM> advances the processing to step S412, and if this is not the case (No), the system control unit <NUM> returns the processing to step S402. In step S412, the system control unit <NUM> transmits a cancellation message for canceling the linked image capturing to the other digital camera 100b, initializes the linked image capturing information, and then ends the connection for the linked image capturing.

Hereinafter, an operation of capture event processing for linked image capturing according to the present embodiment is described with reference to <FIG>. Note that each process in the flowchart illustrated in <FIG> is realized by the system control unit <NUM> loading a program stored in the nonvolatile memory <NUM> into the system memory <NUM> and then executing the program. Note that events described below include, for example, an event based on a user instruction for an operation, an event based on a reception of a linking message from another digital camera <NUM>, and the like. Note, processing from step S601 onward ends up being immediately executed in accordance with the user instruction or the reception of the message since the system control unit <NUM> constantly monitors events.

Also, regarding the description of <FIG>, a digital camera that executes the present processing is described using reference numeral 100a, and another digital camera is described using reference numeral 100b in order to distinguish between a digital camera that executes the present processing and another digital camera. Note that the flowchart of <FIG> is executed not only in the digital camera 100a but also in other digital cameras.

In step S600, the system control unit <NUM> obtains an event stored in the system memory <NUM>. In step S601, the system control unit <NUM> determines whether the event obtained in step S600 is an event of an operation of an image capturing instruction for capturing an image, which is added when a press of a release switch (SW2, which is the reference numeral <NUM> in <FIG>) is detected or the like. In a case where it is determined that the event is an event of an operation for an image capturing instruction for capturing an image (Yes), the system control unit <NUM> advances the processing to step S602, and otherwise the system control unit <NUM> advances the processing to step S605 (No).

In step S602, the system control unit <NUM> transmits an instruction to execute linked image capturing as a message from the digital camera 100a to the other digital camera 100b. This message is sent to the communication path <NUM> via the communication unit <NUM> of the digital camera 100a. The system control unit <NUM> may include the following information as a message for instructing execution of the linked image capturing. For example, the message may include a nickname or an IP address of the digital camera 100a, which is the transmission source of the message, a current release count, a current time, a UUID that can uniquely identify an object, a filename, a serial number that can uniquely identify the message, and the like.

In step S603, the system control unit <NUM> captures and stores an image. The system control unit <NUM> stores a portion of the message instructing execution of linked image capturing, differences between the information illustrated in <FIG>, or the like as supplementary information of the image. In step S604, the system control unit <NUM> adds a transfer instruction for the image captured in step S603 to the digital camera 100a as a transfer event.

In step S605, the system control unit <NUM> determines whether the event obtained in step S600 is an event indicating that the instruction for executing the linked image capturing was received from the other digital camera 100b as a message. In a case where the event is an event indicating that an instruction for executing the linked image capturing has been received as a message (Yes), the system control unit <NUM> advances the processing to step S606; otherwise, the system control unit <NUM> advances the processing to step S608.

In step S606, the system control unit <NUM> captures and stores an image. The system control unit <NUM> stores a current release count, a current time, a portion of an instruction message for executing the linked image capturing, differences from the information illustrated in <FIG>, a UUID, a filename, or the like as supplementary information of the image. In step S607, the system control unit <NUM> adds the transfer instruction for the image captured in step S606 to the digital camera 100a as a transfer event. As described above, the instruction to transfer the captured image is added as a transfer event to the digital camera 100a in a case where the image capturing instruction is from the user of the digital camera 100a or when the linked image capturing instruction is from the other digital camera 100b. Note, the transfer instruction (transfer event) is an instruction to transmit an image targeted for transfer to the reception apparatus <NUM>. The transfer instruction (transfer event) includes information (such as a file path) for specifying the image targeted for transfer. Configuration may be taken such that not only information for specifying an image but also information to be later recorded in a transfer list is included.

In step S608, the system control unit <NUM> determines whether the event obtained in step S600 is an event indicating the end of the processing. In a case where it is determined that the event is an event indicating the end of the processing (Yes), the system control unit <NUM> ends the image capturing processing, and otherwise returns the processing to step S600 (No). In a case where it is not an event indicating the end of the processing in step S608 (No), the processing returns to step S600.

Hereinafter, operation of transfer event processing of an image according to the present embodiment is described with reference to <FIG>. Note that each process in this flowchart is realized by the system control unit <NUM> loading a program stored in the nonvolatile memory <NUM> into the system memory <NUM> and then executing the program. Note, processing from step S701 onward ends up being immediately executed in accordance with a user instruction or a reception of a message since the system control unit <NUM> constantly monitors events. Note that the processing of <FIG> is executed by a plurality of digital cameras that are communicatively connected to each other.

In step S700, the system control unit <NUM> obtains a transfer event stored in the system memory <NUM>. In step S701, the system control unit <NUM> determines whether the event obtained in step S700 is a transfer event in response to which an image will be added to a transfer list.

In step S701, the system control unit <NUM> advances the processing to step S702 in a case where the obtained event is a transfer event in response to which an image will be added to the transfer list (Yes), and if this is not the case, the system control unit <NUM> advances the processing to step S704 (No). The transfer event in response to which the image is added to the transfer list is the transfer event that is added in step S604 or step S607. That is, the processing of step S702 ends up being executed in accordance with the capturing (S603, S606) of the image being executed.

In step S702, the system control unit <NUM> adds the image targeted for transfer, for which an instruction is given in the transfer event, to the transfer list. When the image for which the instruction is given is added to the transfer list, the image is transmitted to the reception apparatus <NUM> in the order described in the transfer list (that is, in a predetermined order). In the present embodiment, the transfer order of images is the capturing order of the images since the transfer events for the captured images are added at the time of image capture and the captured images are then added to the transfer list.

An example of a transfer list stored in the system memory <NUM> is described with reference to <FIG>. Information of an image targeted for transfer is registered in the transfer list. Information of reference numerals <NUM> to <NUM> is registered in the transfer list for the image targeted for transfer.

Reference numeral <NUM> denotes a filename when the system control unit <NUM> stores data in the recording medium <NUM> or the like. A nickname <NUM> is a nickname of the digital camera for which the image capturing instruction has been performed. <FIG> shows a transfer list in a digital camera with a nickname "LocalCamera". In a case where the reference numeral <NUM> is "LocalCamera", it indicates that the image is an image obtained by a local image capture upon an image capturing instruction being performed on the digital camera. When reference numeral <NUM> is not "LocalCamera", it indicates that the image is a link captured image, and the nickname of a digital camera that is the transmission source of an instruction to execute linked image capturing is registered. Reference numeral <NUM> denotes an IP address, and the IP address of the digital camera is recorded in the case of a locally captured image, and an IP address of a digital camera that is the transmission source of an instruction to execute linked image capturing is recorded in the case of a link captured image. Reference numeral <NUM> denotes a release count of the digital camera when the image is captured. Reference numeral <NUM> denotes an image capturing time when the image is captured by the digital camera. Reference numeral <NUM> denotes information recorded in the case of linked image capturing, and is a release count in local image capturing by the digital camera, which is a transmission source of an instruction to execute linked image capturing, that executed image capturing in linkage with an image targeted for transfer. Reference numeral <NUM> denotes information recorded in the case of linked image capturing, and is an image capturing time in local image capturing by a digital camera, which is a transmission source of an instruction to execute linked image capturing, that executed image capturing in linkage with an image targeted for transfer.

Reference numeral <NUM> denotes a difference between the release count <NUM> indicating the number of images captured before the digital camera, which is the transmission source of an instruction to execute linked image capturing, started linked image capturing, and a release count when linked image capturing was instructed. Reference numeral <NUM> denotes a difference between the time <NUM> at which the digital camera, which is the transmission source of an instruction to execute linked image capturing, started linked image capturing and a time when the linked image capturing was instructed. Reference numeral <NUM> denotes a filename added to an image captured by a digital camera, which is the transmission source of an instruction to execute linked image capturing. Reference numeral <NUM> denotes a UUID which can uniquely identify an object added to an image captured by the digital camera that is the transmission source of an instruction to execute linked image capturing. Reference numeral <NUM> denotes a serial number added to a message by the digital camera that is the transmission source of an instruction to execute linked image capturing.

Reference numeral <NUM> is an image obtained by linked image capturing (in step S606) by reception of a message of an instruction to execute linked image capturing from another digital camera (CameraC). For example, the release count <NUM>, the time <NUM>, the release count difference <NUM>, the time difference <NUM>, the filename <NUM>, the UUID <NUM>, and the message serial number <NUM> are recorded in the information of that image. Reference numeral <NUM> is an image that is captured locally in accordance with an image capturing instruction from the user to the digital camera in step S603 by an event of an operation for image capturing instruction. For example, the release count <NUM>, the time <NUM>, the release count difference <NUM>, the time difference <NUM>, and the filename <NUM> are recorded in the information of this image. Reference numeral <NUM> is an image obtained in step S606 by linked image capturing by reception of a message for instructing execution of linked image capturing from another digital camera (CameraA) similarly to the image <NUM>.

In the example of the transfer list shown in <FIG>, information of the reference numerals <NUM> to <NUM> is held in the transfer list so as to be obtainable without referring to a captured image. However, configuration may be taken such that information of the reference numerals <NUM> to <NUM> is appended to an image, and only information for specifying the image is held in the transfer list.

<FIG> is referred to again. In step S704, the system control unit <NUM> determines whether the transfer event obtained in step S700 is a transfer event indicating an instruction to edit the transfer list. The transfer event indicating an instruction to edit the transfer list is a transfer event used when an image is selected from the transfer list and an instruction that the image be moved to the head of the transfer list is given, or when an image not in the transfer list is selected and then an instruction is given to add the image to the head of the transfer list. The instruction to edit the transfer list is, for example, a user instruction in which the user designates a specific image for which to prioritize transfer on a screen that the system control unit <NUM> has displayed on the display unit <NUM>. The information of the transfer event indicating the instruction to edit the transfer list includes information such as a filename for specifying an image targeted for prioritized transfer. In a case where the event obtained in step S700 is determined to be a transfer event indicating an instruction to edit the transfer list (Yes), the system control unit <NUM> advances the processing to step S705, and otherwise the system control unit <NUM> advances the processing to step S707 (No). Note that the instruction to edit the transfer list ends up being performed in parallel to the execution of a transfer (transmission) of an image to the reception apparatus <NUM> because there are already items in the transfer list. Therefore, the instruction to edit the transfer list by the user and the processing of step S704 to step S709 are executed while an image is being transferred (being transmitted) to the reception apparatus <NUM>. In addition, the processing of step S701 and step S702 is also executed while an image is being transferred (being transmitted) to the reception apparatus <NUM> in a case where transfer information has been registered in the transfer list.

In step S705, the system control unit <NUM> registers, at the head of the transfer list, an image for which prioritized transfer is designated by an editing instruction. In a case where an image has already been registered in the transfer list, the data of the image is moved to the head of the transfer list, and in a case where the image is not in the transfer list, the information of the image is registered by being added to the head of the transfer list. For example, in a case where an instruction is made to make the image <NUM> of <FIG> a priority transfer target, the system control unit <NUM> moves the data of the image <NUM> to before the data of the image <NUM> in the transfer list so that transmission of the image <NUM> to the reception apparatus <NUM> is prioritized.

In the present embodiment, in the case of a transfer event indicating an instruction to edit a transfer list, the digital camera 100a transmits a priority transfer instruction (also simply referred to as a priority instruction). Specifically, the digital camera 100a performs control so that, for an image which has been captured in linkage with a priority transfer target image for which an instruction for prioritized transfer has been made by an editing instruction, transfer is also prioritized in another digital camera. Therefore, in step S706, the system control unit <NUM> transmits, by an editing instruction, a priority transfer instruction as a message (also referred to as an interrupt message) to another digital camera that has performed image capturing in linkage with an image designated as a priority transfer target. In a case of performing image capturing in linkage with a plurality of digital cameras, a message indicating a priority transfer instruction is transmitted to the plurality of cameras. The other digital cameras that have performed image capturing in linkage with the priority transfer target image can be determined from the information of the priority transfer target image and the linked image capturing information <NUM> recorded in the system memory <NUM>. Configuration may be taken such that the message of the priority transfer instruction is transmitted to digital cameras registered in the linked image capturing information <NUM> without determining the digital camera that performed the image capturing in linkage with the priority transfer target image. The message of the priority transfer instruction is sent to the communication path <NUM> via the communication unit <NUM>. The system control unit <NUM> includes the following information recorded in the transfer list as linked image specification information in order to specify an image that is captured in linkage with an image designated as a priority transfer target, in the message for making a priority transfer target instruction. The nickname <NUM> of the camera, the IP address <NUM>, the release count <NUM> at the time of image capturing, the time <NUM> at the time of image capturing, and the release count <NUM> of a digital camera, which is a transmission source of linked image capturing, are included in the transfer list. Configuration may be taken such that the linked image specification information further includes the time <NUM>, the release count difference <NUM>, the time difference <NUM>, and the filename <NUM> of the digital camera that is a transmission source of linked image capturing, and the UUID <NUM>, the message serial number <NUM>, the IP address <NUM> of the digital camera indicating the destination of the message instructing the priority transfer target, and the like.

In step S707, the system control unit <NUM> determines whether the event obtained in step S700 is an event indicating that a priority transfer instruction was received. Note that a message of the priority transfer instruction ends up being received by the present digital camera as a result of the processing of step S706 being executed by the other digital camera. In a case where the event is an event indicating that a priority transfer instruction has been received as a message (Yes), the system control unit <NUM> advances the processing to step S708, and otherwise the system control unit <NUM> advances the processing to step S710 (No).

In step S708, the system control unit <NUM> searches for an image that is to be the target of priority transfer using the linked image specification information included in the priority transfer instruction message. The system control unit <NUM> compares the linked image specification information included in the priority transfer instruction message with the information in the transfer list, and searches for an image whose information matches. In a case where an image whose information matches is not found in the transfer list, the system control unit <NUM> compares the information of the images stored in the recording medium <NUM> or the like with the information included in the priority transfer instruction message, and searches for an image whose information matches. For example, an image for which the nickname <NUM> and the release count <NUM> match across the linked image specification information and the transfer list can be determined as an image to be the target of priority transfer. In a case where the release count <NUM> for local image capturing is not recorded in the linked image specification information or the transfer list, the priority transfer target determination may be made using the local release count <NUM> instead of the release count <NUM>. The determination method is not limited to this, and configuration may be taken such that another determination method is used to specify an image that has been captured in linkage with an image for which a priority transfer is instructed by another digital camera, in the linked image specification information and the transfer list.

In step S709, the system control unit <NUM> moves the transfer information (reference numerals <NUM> to <NUM>) of the image detected in the transfer list in step S708 to the head of the transfer list. In a case where a link captured image cannot be found in the transfer list in step S708, the image that could not be detected in the transfer list is added to the head of the transfer list. In the example of <FIG>, in a case where a priority transfer target has been instructed for the image <NUM>, the system control unit <NUM> moves the image <NUM> to before the image <NUM>.

In step S710, the system control unit <NUM> determines whether the event obtained in step S700 is an event indicating the end of the processing. In a case where it is determined that the obtained event is an event indicating the end of the processing (Yes), the system control unit <NUM> ends the image transfer processing, and otherwise the system control unit <NUM> returns the processing to step S700 (No).

In this way, a transfer list is generated and changed by transfer event processing according to the processing of <FIG>.

Hereinafter, an operation of image transfer processing according to the present embodiment is described with reference to <FIG>. Note that each process in this flowchart is realized by the system control unit <NUM> loading a program stored in the nonvolatile memory <NUM> into the system memory <NUM> and then executing the program. Note that the processing of <FIG> is executed by a plurality of digital cameras that are communicatively connected to each other.

In the digital camera <NUM>, the system control unit <NUM> monitors the transfer list held in the system memory <NUM>, and automatically transfers transfer-target images according to the transfer list.

In step S711, the system control unit <NUM> determines whether or not transfer information is registered in the transfer list. In a case where it is determined that the transfer information has been registered (Yes), the system control unit <NUM> advances the processing to step S712, otherwise (No), the system control unit <NUM> repeats the processing of step S711. Configuration may be taken such that the processing of <FIG> is started in accordance with the transfer information that has been registered to the transfer list without repeating the processing of step S711.

In step S712, the system control unit <NUM> transmits images targeted for transfer to the reception apparatus <NUM> via the communication unit <NUM>. At this time, the system control unit <NUM> reads the target image from the recording medium <NUM> and transmits the target image to the reception apparatus <NUM> based on the transfer information recorded at the head of the transfer list. When the transmission of the image in step S712 has completed, the system control unit <NUM> deletes the image transmitted in step S712 from the transfer list (that is, it updates the transfer list) in step S713. In the example illustrated in <FIG>, the system control unit <NUM> deletes the information of the image <NUM> transferred in step S712 from the transfer list in accordance with the transmission of the image <NUM> in step S712. The information of the image <NUM> becomes the head of the transfer list due to the information of the image <NUM> having been deleted.

As described above, in the present disclosure, linked image capturing is performed by a plurality of digital cameras, and captured images are respectively transmitted from the plurality of digital cameras to the reception apparatus <NUM>. In the first embodiment, the digital cameras normally transmit the images in the order in which they were captured, which is described in the transfer list. However, a digital camera can receive an editing instruction (change instruction) for changing the transfer order of images from the user made on the operation unit, and the digital camera changes the transfer order of the images in accordance with the editing instruction. When the transfer order of the images is changed, not only the transfer order in the apparatus itself is changed, but also the transfer order of the images captured by the other digital cameras is changed in the other digital cameras in linkage with the image for which the editing instruction to change the transfer order has been given.

Note that configuration may be taken so as to set whether or not a captured image is to be transmitted and whether or not the image is targeted for priority transfer in linkage with other digital cameras, in a case where there is a digital camera that does not need to transmit some or all of the images that it captured. For example, assume that a plurality of digital cameras are arranged at a sports game, where one camera is arranged to capture images in front of a goal of team A and another is arranged to capture images in front of a goal of team B. Configuration may be taken such that, in a case of a linked image capturing target scene, such as a scene in front of a goal of a soccer game, images captured in front of the goal of the side where the scene is not occurring are not transmitted as link captured images or transfer thereof is not prioritized. In addition, this is not limited to only a specific scene, and configuration may be such that captured images of a certain digital camera are not transmitted or such that transfer thereof is not prioritized in image capturing on a particular day depending on the application. For this, the system control unit <NUM> holds (or dynamically obtains from an external apparatus), as a setting, whether or not captured images are to be transmitted or whether or not captured images are targeted for priority transfer, for example. Configuration may be taken such that the system control unit <NUM> does not transmit an image transfer instruction to some of the other digital cameras in a case of a designation that transmission of captured images is not be performed (image transmission is not performed). Also, configuration may be such that the system control unit <NUM> does not transmit the priority transfer instruction to some of the other digital cameras in accordance with the setting of whether or not images are targeted for priority transfer linked with the other digital cameras. The system control unit <NUM> can skip step S604 and step S607 in a case where the captured images are not to be transmitted, and can skip step S709 in a case where priority transfer target linkage is not to be performed.

Further, in the above described embodiment, the system control unit <NUM> transmits a priority transfer instruction to the other digital cameras in accordance with having received an editing instruction in which the user selected a specific image from the transfer list on the screen displayed on the display unit <NUM>. That is, the priority transfer instruction is performed so that an image selected by the user from images that have already been captured is set as the priority transmission target. However, configuration may be taken such that a priority transfer instruction may be performed so that an image captured at a predetermined timing or in a predetermined period is set as a priority transmission target. For example, the system control unit <NUM> may receive a setting such that the next captured image or subsequent captured images are set as targets for a priority transfer instruction. Configuration may be taken such that, in a case where such a setting is performed, the system control unit <NUM> transmits to another digital camera a priority transfer instruction targeting the captured image, in accordance with having received an image capturing instruction (an image capturing operation for capturing an image specified in the operation unit) made on the release button. In this way, transfer of images to be captured thereafter, and images to be captured in linkage with those images, to the reception apparatus <NUM> can be prioritized.

Next, a second embodiment is described. In the second embodiment, a configuration in which another digital camera is instructed to perform an operation that has been performed on a specific digital camera will be described. In the present embodiment, for example, when an instruction of a priority transfer target is made by a specific digital camera, transfer of an image captured at the same time as the image set as the priority transfer target is prioritized in another digital camera as well. In the digital camera according to the present embodiment, although some of the capture event processing and some of the transfer event processing is different from those of the first embodiment, other processing and the configuration of the digital camera are the same as or substantially the same as those of the first embodiment. Therefore, the same or substantially the same configurations and processing are denoted by the same reference numerals, description thereof is omitted, and differences are mainly described.

Hereinafter, an operation of capture event processing for linked image capturing according to the second embodiment is described with reference to <FIG>. Note, a specific digital camera is described as reference numeral 100c and another digital camera is described as reference numeral 100d in order to distinguish between the specific digital camera and the other digital camera in the present embodiment. There may be a plurality of other digital cameras 100d. <FIG> illustrates an operation of the specific digital camera 100c that instructs the other digital camera 100d to perform linked image capturing. Meanwhile, <FIG> illustrates an operation of the other digital camera 100d which receives an instruction to perform linked image capturing from the specific digital camera 100c.

Note that each process illustrated in <FIG> is realized by the system control unit <NUM> of the specific digital camera 100c loading a program stored in the nonvolatile memory <NUM> into the system memory <NUM> and then executing the program. Each operation of step S600 to step S604 and step S608 shown in <FIG> are processes similar to the processes described for <FIG>. Note that each process illustrated in <FIG> is realized by the system control unit <NUM> of the digital camera 100d loading a program stored in the nonvolatile memory <NUM> into the system memory <NUM> and then executing the program. Each operation of step S600 and step S605 to step S608 shown in <FIG> are processes similar to the processes described with regards to <FIG>. Note, the processing after step S601 or after step S605 ends up being executed immediately in accordance with a user instruction or a reception of a message since the system control unit <NUM> of the specific digital camera 100c and the digital camera 100d constantly monitors events.

The specific digital camera 100c that executes the processing illustrated in <FIG> does not require determination processing corresponding to step S605 illustrated in <FIG>. For this reason, in a case where the event is not an event of an image capturing instruction operation in step S601 (No), the system control unit <NUM> advances the processing to step S608. In the digital camera 100d that executes the processing illustrated in <FIG>, the system control unit <NUM> advances from step S600 to step S605 since the system control unit <NUM> does not need to perform the determination processing corresponding to step S601 illustrated in <FIG>. By these processes, capture event processing is executed in each of the specific digital camera 100c and the other digital camera 100d.

Hereinafter, an operation of transfer event processing according to the second embodiment is described with reference to <FIG> is processing of the specific digital camera 100c which transmits a priority transfer instruction to another digital camera. Also, <FIG> is processing of the other digital camera 100d which receives the priority transfer instruction from the specific digital camera 100c. Note that each process illustrated in <FIG> is realized by the system control unit <NUM> of the specific digital camera 100c loading a program stored in the nonvolatile memory <NUM> into the system memory <NUM> and executing the program. Also, each process illustrated in <FIG> is realized by the system control unit <NUM> of the digital camera 100d loading a program stored in the nonvolatile memory <NUM> into the system memory <NUM> and then executing the program. Note that each operation of step S700 to step S702, step S704 to step S706, step S707 to step S709 and step S710 shown in <FIG> is a process similar to a respective process described for <FIG>. Also, the specific digital camera 100c and the other digital camera 100d each execute the above described image transferring processing in <FIG>. The processing of transferring each image is realized by the system control unit <NUM> of each digital camera loading a program stored in the nonvolatile memory <NUM> into the system memory <NUM> and then executing the program.

In the operation shown in <FIG>, the determination in step S707 shown in <FIG> (the determination as to whether the priority transfer instruction is received as a message) is not performed since the digital camera 100c is the one that transmits the priority transfer instruction. Therefore, in a case where the system control unit <NUM> of the digital camera 100c determines that the transfer event indicating the editing instruction of the transfer list has not been received in step S704 (No), the processing advances to step S710. On the other hand, in <FIG>, the digital camera 100d does not perform the determination in step S704, that is, the determination of whether the event is a transfer event indicating an instruction to edit the transfer list. In a case where the system control unit <NUM> of the digital camera 100d determines in step S701 that the transfer event is not an event for adding images to the transfer list (No), the processing advances to step S707.

As described above, in the second embodiment, it is possible to perform linked image capturing by a plurality of digital cameras, and transmit each captured image from the plurality of digital cameras to the reception apparatus <NUM>. Each digital camera normally transmits the images in the order in which they were captured, which is described in the transfer list. In this case, in the second embodiment, an editing instruction (change instruction) for changing the transfer order of the images is received in the specific digital camera, and the transfer order of the images is changed in accordance with the editing instruction. When the specific digital camera transmits a priority transfer instruction, the other digital cameras can prioritize transfer of images captured at the same time as images for which an editing instruction to change the transfer order of the images has been given. In this embodiment, the roles of the specific digital camera and the other digital cameras may be distinguished to improve processing efficiency.

Next, a description is given for a third embodiment. In the above described embodiment, a case in which a digital camera directly transmits and receives messages designating a priority transfer target with a plurality of digital cameras is described as an example. In the third embodiment, an example is given in which a message indicating a priority transfer target designated in a certain digital camera is transmitted from the digital camera to the reception apparatus <NUM>, and the reception apparatus <NUM> makes an instruction of the priority transfer target to another digital camera. Note, in the digital camera according to the present embodiment, although some of the transfer event processing is different from that of the first embodiment, other processing and the configuration of the digital camera are the same as or substantially the same as those of the first embodiment. Therefore, the same or substantially the same configurations and processing are denoted by the same reference numerals, description thereof is omitted, and differences are mainly described.

<FIG> is a flowchart illustrating operation of image transfer event processing according to a third embodiment. Note that similar to the case of <FIG>, each process illustrated in <FIG> is realized by the system control unit <NUM> of the digital camera <NUM> loading a program stored in the nonvolatile memory <NUM> into the system memory <NUM> and then executing the program. Step S700 to step S702, step S704 to step S705, and step S707 to step S709 described in <FIG> are processes similar to respective processes illustrated in <FIG>. In a case where the processing of step S700, step S701, step S704, and step S705 is executed similarly to in the first embodiment, the system control unit <NUM> advances the processing to step S1100. Through these processes, the system control unit <NUM> receives an editing instruction for changing the transfer order of the image from the user, and changes the transfer order of the image in accordance with the editing instruction.

In step S1100, the system control unit <NUM> transmits a priority transfer instruction as a message to the reception apparatus <NUM> (instead of transmitting the priority transfer instruction to the other digital camera <NUM> as a message, as in step S705 described in the first embodiment). In step S1100, content of the message (that is, an interrupt message) to be transmitted to the reception apparatus <NUM> is similar to the content of the message in step S706.

Next, reception processing of the reception apparatus <NUM> according to the third embodiment is described with reference to <FIG>. Note that this reception processing is realized by the processor of the reception apparatus <NUM> loading a program stored in the storage medium into the memory and executing the program.

In step S1200, the reception apparatus <NUM> waits for a message for instructing a priority transfer target transmitted from the digital camera <NUM>. In step S1201, the reception apparatus <NUM> determines whether the message received in step S1200 is a message (interrupt message) for instructing the priority transfer target. In a case where the received message is a message instructing a priority transfer target (Yes), the reception apparatus <NUM> advances the processing to step S1203, and advances the processing to step S1202 in a case where the received message is not (No).

In step S1202, the reception apparatus <NUM> transmits a priority transfer instruction as a message (interrupt message) to a digital camera (different from the digital camera that transmitted the received message). The digital camera that receives the message from the reception apparatus <NUM> is treated as a digital camera 100e. There may be a plurality of other digital cameras 100e. The message of the priority transfer instruction is transmitted to the digital camera 100e via the communication path <NUM>. At this time, the reception apparatus <NUM> specifies the transmission destination of the message in step S1202 from the IP address <NUM> of the digital camera that indicates the destination of the message for instructing the priority transfer target, included in the message received in step S1200.

In step S1203, the reception apparatus <NUM> receives each image (e.g., in a case where messages in which images are transferred are received from the digital camera that transmitted the interrupt message and the digital camera 100e respectively). In step S1204, the reception apparatus <NUM> determines whether or not to terminate the reception processing. The reception apparatus <NUM> terminates the operation of the reception processing in a case where the reception processing is to be terminated (Yes), and otherwise returns the processing to step S1200 (No).

As described above, in the third embodiment, it is possible to perform linked image capturing by a plurality of digital cameras, and transmit each captured image from the plurality of digital cameras to the reception apparatus <NUM>. Each digital camera normally transmits the images in the order at which they were captured, which is described in the transfer list. In the third embodiment, an editing instruction (change instruction) for changing the transfer order of the images is received in a certain digital camera, and the transfer order of the images is changed in accordance with the editing instruction. At this time, the digital camera transmits a priority transfer instruction to another digital camera via the reception apparatus <NUM>, and the other digital camera prioritizes transfer of an image captured at the same time as the image for which the editing instruction for changing the transfer order of the image was given.

As described in the above embodiments, in the digital camera, control is taken to prioritize transmission of a first image to the reception apparatus in accordance with having received an instruction to change the transmission order of the first image by the operation unit during transmission of a plurality of images in a predetermined order. In addition, the digital camera transmits the priority transfer instruction such that transmission of an image associated with the first image to the reception apparatus is prioritized by another digital camera capable of communicating via the communication unit. By doing so, it is possible to prioritize the transfer of an image captured in linkage with an image set as a priority transfer target by another image capturing apparatus.

Note that configuration may be taken such that the various types of control performed by the system control unit <NUM> described above are performed by one piece of hardware, or are performed by a plurality of pieces of hardware (for example, a plurality of processors and circuits) sharing processing, thereby controlling the entire apparatus.

Also, a case where the present disclosure is applied to a digital camera has been described as an example in the above described embodiments, but some embodiments are not limited to the above-described example. The present disclosure can be applied to other electronic devices as long as it is possible to perform linked-image capturing and prioritize transfer of a captured image. That is, the above described embodiments are also applicable to a personal computer, a mobile phone terminal, a portable image viewer, a game machine, and the like.

Some embodiment(s) of the present disclosure can also be realized by a computer of a system or apparatus that reads out and executes computer-executable instructions (e.g., one or more programs) recorded on a storage medium (which may also be referred to more fully as a 'non-transitory computer-readable storage medium') to perform the functions of one or more of the above-described embodiment(s) and/or that includes one or more circuits (e.g., application specific integrated circuit (ASIC)) for performing the functions of one or more of the above-described embodiment(s), and by a method performed by the computer of the system or apparatus by, for example, reading out and executing the computer-executable instructions from the storage medium to perform the functions of one or more of the above-described embodiment(s) and/or controlling the one or more circuits to perform the functions of one or more of the above-described embodiment(s). The computer may comprise one or more processors (e.g., central processing unit (CPU), micro processing unit (MPU)) and may include a network of separate computers or separate processors to read out and execute the computer-executable instructions. The computer-executable instructions may be provided to the computer, for example, from a network or the storage medium.

Claim 1:
An image capturing apparatus (<NUM>), comprising:
operation means (<NUM>) for receiving an operation by a user;
communication means (<NUM>) for communicating with a communication apparatus (<NUM>) and another image capturing apparatus; and
control means (<NUM>) for performing control to transmit a plurality of captured images in a predetermined order to the communication apparatus via the communication means, characterized in that
the communication means (<NUM>) is configured to establish a connection for linked image capturing between the image capturing apparatus and the other image capturing apparatus, and
when linked image capturing is performed, during transmission of the plurality of the images in the predetermined order, in accordance with an instruction to change a transmission order of a first image having been received by the operation means, the control means is configured to perform control to prioritize transmission of the first image to the communication apparatus and is further configured to transmit a priority transfer instruction to the other image capturing apparatus such that transmission of an image linked with the first image to the communication apparatus is prioritized by another image capturing apparatus capable of communicating via the communication means.