JP2010068494A - Portable device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a portable device for easily exchanging data with another external device. <P>SOLUTION: A proximate communication unit 19 is configured to periodically send a communication signal reporting its presence in activation, and performs proximate wireless communication with a proximate communication unit 19 of another proximate digital camera 1. An attitude detection unit 13 detects an attitude of a camera body 3. A transmission/reception control unit 211 determines a communication starting instruction on the basis of the attitude and/or displacement of the camera body 3. The transmission/reception control unit 211 then activates the proximate communication unit 19 when there is the communication starting instruction. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a portable device.

  For example, wireless communication is generally performed between portable devices, and data recorded in one portable device is transmitted to the other portable device.

  On the other hand, there is known an apparatus that realizes intuitive operation input by detecting the movement of an object or detecting the movement of a finger with respect to a touch device (see, for example, Patent Documents 1 and 2). That is, Patent Document 1 discloses a technique for detecting an operation of an object held or worn by a user and performing operation control of a control target device according to the operation pattern. Patent Document 2 discloses a device that realizes manual operation input such as type input by intuitive hand configuration and movement.

JP 2005-59812 A Japanese translation of PCT publication No. 2002-501271

  As described in Patent Documents 1 and 2, techniques for realizing intuitive operation input have been conventionally known. However, in any technique, a device operated by a user (if Patent Document 1 is held or worn by a user) In the case of Patent Document 2, it is assumed that the power of a manual operation input device (operation input by a user) is turned on. However, when data is transmitted and received between portable devices as described above, there is a problem that power consumption increases if a communication unit for performing communication with a counterpart device is always activated. . On the other hand, in order to activate the communication unit only at the time of communication, the user needs to activate the communication unit by operating and inputting a communication start instruction to the mobile devices on the data transmission side and the reception side. There was a lot of trouble.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above, and an object of the present invention is to provide a portable device that can easily transmit and receive data to and from other external devices.

  In order to solve the above-described problems and achieve the object, a portable device according to the present invention includes a proximity communication unit that performs proximity wireless communication with an external device, and data of the external device via the proximity communication unit. A transmission / reception control unit that controls transmission and / or reception of data transmitted from the external device, and a posture / displacement posture detection unit that detects the posture and / or displacement of the apparatus body, and the transmission / reception control unit includes: The proximity communication unit is activated according to the posture and / or displacement of the apparatus main body detected by the posture / displacement posture detection unit.

  In the portable device according to the present invention, in the above invention, the transmission / reception control unit may transmit the data according to the posture and / or displacement of the apparatus body detected by the posture / displacement posture detection unit. The reception of the data is switched and controlled.

  In the portable device according to the present invention, in the above-described invention, an imaging unit that captures a subject image to generate shooting data, a recording unit that records the shooting data, and shooting that generates shooting data by the imaging unit. And a setting unit that sets a display mode for displaying the shooting data recorded in the recording unit on the display unit as an operation mode, the transmission / reception control unit taking into account the operation mode set by the setting unit Then, the proximity communication unit is activated.

  The portable device according to the present invention is the portable device according to the above invention, wherein the transmission / reception control unit is a case where a display mode is set by the setting unit, and the posture / displacement posture detection unit is set in advance. The proximity communication unit is activated when a predetermined posture and / or displacement of the apparatus main body is detected.

  The portable device according to the present invention may further include a display unit disposed on a back surface of the device main body, and the proximity communication unit on the back side of the device main body on which the display unit is disposed. An antenna is arranged, and the arrangement of the antenna defines an orientation of the apparatus main body with respect to the external device when performing proximity wireless communication with the external device via the proximity communication unit. And

  The portable device according to the present invention includes a proximity communication unit that performs proximity wireless communication with an external device, and transmission of data to the external device and data transmitted from the external device via the proximity communication unit. A transmission / reception control unit for controlling reception; and an attitude detection unit for detecting the attitude of the apparatus main body, wherein the transmission / reception control unit is configured to store the data according to the attitude of the apparatus main body detected by the attitude detection unit. Control is performed by switching between transmission and reception of the data.

  The portable device according to the present invention is a portable device that includes an imaging unit that captures a subject image and generates shooting data, and a recording unit that records the shooting data. A setting unit that sets a shooting mode to be generated or a display mode for displaying shooting data recorded in the recording unit on a display unit as an operation mode, a proximity communication unit that performs proximity wireless communication with an external device, and the proximity A transmission / reception control unit that controls transmission of data to the external device and reception of data transmitted from the external device via a communication unit, and the transmission / reception control unit is set to an operation mode set by the setting unit. In accordance with the control, the transmission and the reception of the data are switched and controlled.

  According to the present invention, the proximity communication unit can be activated according to the posture and / or displacement of the apparatus main body. Therefore, since it is only necessary to move the apparatus main body according to a predetermined posture and / or displacement, there is an effect that data can be easily transmitted / received to / from an external device without inputting a communication start instruction. .

  DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Note that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments. Moreover, in description of each drawing, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected and shown to the same part.

(Embodiment 1)
FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view showing the front side of a digital camera 1 to which the portable device of the present invention is applied, and FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view showing the back side of the digital camera 1. As shown in FIG. 1, the digital camera 1 has an imaging lens 4 disposed on the front surface of the camera body 3, and an imaging unit 11 (see FIG. 7) that captures a subject image incident through the imaging lens 4. 3 is provided. On the other hand, a release switch 5 is provided on the upper surface of the camera body 3 for instructing photographing timing. On the back of the camera body 3, a display unit 16 for displaying various screens, a plurality of button switches 7 to which unique functions for inputting various operations such as power-on and mode selection are assigned. ing. Further, the left end portion of the camera body 3 as viewed from the front side forms a grip portion 8 that is held by the user's right hand, and the release switch 5 on the top surface and the button switch 7 on the back surface hold the grip portion 8. It is arranged at the position where it can be operated in the state.

  When the digital camera 1 is turned on (ON) and the photographing mode is selected, the digital camera 1 is ready for photographing, and a subject image incident through the imaging lens 4 is displayed on the display unit 16 in real time as a live view image. It has come to be. The user holds the grip unit 8 and holds the camera body 3 and presses the release switch 5 while viewing the live view image on the display unit 16 to shoot a still image or a moving image, or displays the captured still image or moving image. Displayed (reproduced) on the part 16 and enjoyed.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the digital camera 1 includes a proximity communication unit 19 for performing proximity wireless communication with another digital camera 1 that is an external device at a predetermined position on the back side of the camera body 3. .

  FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing how the communication between the digital cameras 1 is performed from the side, and in FIG. 3, one is the digital camera 1-1 and the other is the digital camera 1-2. The proximity communication units 19 of the digital cameras 1-1 and 1-2 are provided such that the antennas are arranged on the back side of the camera body 3, and the back sides of the camera body 3 are connected to each other as shown in FIG. When the proximity communication units 19 are brought close to each other within a communicable area, communication is established between them. As described above, in the first embodiment, the posture of the camera body 3 in the front-rear direction during communication is defined by the arrangement of the proximity communication unit 19. That is, communication is established when these are brought close to each other with the back surface of the camera body 3 facing each other, while the front surface of the camera body 3 is made to face each other or close to each other. Communication is not established.

  The digital camera 1 detects the posture and displacement of the camera body by a posture detection unit 13 and a displacement detection unit 14 (see FIG. 7) built in the camera body 3, and starts communication based on the detected posture and displacement. When the instruction is determined and there is a communication start instruction, the proximity communication unit 19 is activated. Here, the proximity communication unit 19 periodically transmits a communication signal for notifying its presence at the time of activation, and at least one digital camera 1 (for example, the digital camera 1-1 in FIG. 3) that performs communication. ), The proximity communication unit 19 of the other digital camera 1 (for example, the digital camera 1-2 in FIG. 3) is automatically activated by the communication signal transmitted from the proximity communication unit 19. Can be activated.

  FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a communication start instruction. In the first embodiment, for example, a displacement that slides vertically downward with the back surface of the camera body 3 facing vertically downward is detected as a communication start instruction. That is, when the user wants to activate the proximity communication unit 19 to start communication, with the back side of the camera body 3 of the digital camera 1-1 facing down, the user moves vertically as indicated by an arrow A2 in FIG. Slide down and move. When the camera body 3 is moved in this way, the proximity communication unit 19 is activated, and communication with other digital cameras 1 becomes possible.

  In order to actually send and receive data to and from another digital camera 1, the digital camera 1 detects the state of FIG. 3 based on the result of posture detection detected by the posture detection unit 13. Specifically, the digital camera 1 detects a state in which the back side of the camera body 3 is directed vertically downward like the digital camera 1-1 in FIG. 3 as a transmission posture, and the digital camera 1-2 in FIG. Thus, the state where the front side of the camera body 3 is directed vertically downward is detected as the reception posture. The digital camera 1 that has detected the transmission posture of the camera body 3 performs data transmission processing with respect to the other digital camera 1 of the communication partner. On the other hand, the digital camera 1 that has detected the reception posture of the camera body 3 performs data reception processing from the other digital camera 1 of the communication partner.

  Here, the data transmitted / received between the digital cameras 1 is, for example, shooting data recorded in the digital camera 1, for example, still image or moving image data shot by the digital camera 1. At this time, it is good also as transmitting all the image | photographed still images and moving image data, and it is good also as transmitting the data designated by the user from these. In addition, sound data recorded by the digital camera 1 such as sound data recorded during moving image shooting may be transmitted.

  FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a gripping state of the camera body 3 during normal use, such as during shooting and playback. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a gripping state of the camera body 3 during communication. When the user wants to transmit / receive data to / from another digital camera 1, the camera body 3 is rotated in the horizontal direction from the gripping state during normal use shown in FIG. 5, that is, the gripping state with the display unit 16 facing forward. Then, it is turned over and switched to the gripping state during communication shown in FIG. 6, that is, the gripping state with the imaging lens 4 facing forward. Thereafter, the proximity communication unit 19 is activated by sliding and moving the camera body 3 vertically downward, and communication is established by bringing the camera body 3 close to the other digital camera 1 of the communication partner so that the back faces face each other. At this time, the digital camera 1 on the data transmission side is set to the transmission posture, and the digital camera 1 on the data reception side is set to the reception posture. Hereinafter, the other digital camera 1 of the communication partner that transmits and receives data by proximity wireless communication is appropriately referred to as a “partner camera”.

  FIG. 7 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a main internal configuration of the digital camera 1. As shown in FIG. 7, the digital camera 1 includes an imaging unit 11, an image processing unit 12, an attitude detection unit 13, a displacement detection unit 14, an operation unit 15, a display unit 16, a recording unit 17, a clock unit 18, and a proximity communication unit. 19, a control unit 21 and the like are provided.

  The imaging unit 11 includes an imaging device such as a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) or a CMOS (Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor) that photoelectrically converts an object image incident through the imaging lens 4 and outputs an analog electric signal. The electrical signal is converted into a digital electrical signal and image data is output.

  The image processing unit 12 performs various types of image processing on the image data output from the imaging unit 11 and performs processing for converting into image data suitable for recording and display. For example, when recording image data of a photographed image or displaying recorded image data, image data compression processing or decompression processing based on a JPEG (Joint Photographic Experts Group) method or the like is performed.

  The posture detection unit 13 is for detecting the posture of the camera body 3 and is realized by a known tilt sensor or the like. On the other hand, the displacement detection unit 14 is for detecting the displacement of the camera body 3, and is a known acceleration sensor for detecting the acceleration generated in the camera body 3 or a known speed sensor for detecting the angular velocity when the camera body 3 is rotated. This is realized by an angular velocity sensor or the like. Conventionally, a digital camera equipped with an angular velocity sensor or an acceleration sensor for correcting image blur due to camera shake is known, and when applied to such a digital camera, a new configuration is not added. The displacement of the camera body 3 can be detected.

  FIG. 8 is a diagram for explaining the posture detection of the camera body 3 by the posture detection unit 13 and the displacement detection of the camera body 3 by the displacement detection unit 14. As shown in FIG. 8, for example, the optical axis direction of the optical system (imaging lens 4) of the digital camera 1 is the Z-axis direction, and a plane perpendicular to the Z-axis direction (imaging surface of the imaging device) is an XY plane. Define the direction. Here, the X, Y, and Z axes are local coordinate axes fixed to the digital camera 1, and are irrelevant to the posture of the camera body 3.

  The posture detection unit 13 is disposed at an appropriate position inside the camera body 3 and outputs the gravity direction on the XZ plane as posture information. On the other hand, the displacement detection unit 14 detects accelerations in the X, Y, and Z axis directions using individual acceleration sensors and triaxial acceleration sensors, and individually detects angular velocities around the X, Y, and Z axes. It is detected by a gyro. The displacement detection unit 14 detects the amount of movement of the camera body 3 based on the detection result of the acceleration sensor, and detects the amount of rotation of the camera body 3 based on the detection result of the angular velocity sensor. It is detected as a displacement.

  9 and 10 are diagrams for explaining an example of the principle of detection of the posture of the camera body 3 using the tilt sensor. As shown in FIG. 9 or 10, the tilt sensor has a closed space 312 formed therein, a case member 311 in which a ball member 313 is movably accommodated in the closed space 312, and an appropriate position in the closed space 312. A light emitting unit 314 such as an LED and a pair of light receiving units 315 and 316 such as photodiodes are provided, and the light emitted from the light emitting unit 314 is detected by each of the light receiving units 315 and 316 so that the gravity with respect to the camera body 3 is detected. Are detected in four directions, the X-axis direction and the Z-axis direction. The posture detection unit 13 is provided in the camera body 3 so that the light receiving units 315 and 316 facing each other are arranged along the local X-axis direction described above.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 9, when the ball member 313 moves immediately before the light receiving unit 315 in the closed space 312, the ball member 313 blocks light from the light emitting unit 314 in front of the light receiving unit 315. For this reason, the light receiving unit 316 detects light, but the light receiving unit 315 does not detect light. In such a case, the posture detection unit 13 detects the gravitational direction of the camera body 3 as a negative direction of the local X axis. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 10, when the ball member 313 moves to the opposite side of the light emitting unit 314 in the closed space 312, the ball member 313 does not block the light from the light emitting unit 314. For this reason, the light receiving units 315 and 316 both detect light. In such a case, the posture detection unit 13 detects the gravitational direction of the camera body 3 as a negative direction of the local Z axis, and the posture of the camera body 3 is as shown in the digital camera 1-1 of FIG. It is detected as a state in which the back side faces vertically downward (transmission posture). Although not shown, when the ball member 313 moves immediately before the light emitting unit 314 in the closed space 312 in FIG. 9 or FIG. 10, the light from the light emitting unit 314 is blocked by the ball member 313. Neither 316 nor 316 detect light. In such a case, the posture detection unit 13 detects the gravitational direction of the camera body 3 as a positive direction of the local Z axis, and the posture of the camera body 3 is as shown in the digital camera 1-2 of FIG. It is detected as a state where the front side faces vertically downward (reception posture).

  11 and FIGS. 12-1 to 13 are diagrams for explaining an example of the detection principle of the movement amount of the camera body 3 using the acceleration sensor. As shown in FIG. 11, the acceleration sensor has fixed electrodes 321 and 323 fixed on the chip surface, and a movable electrode 325 that is bridged on the fixed electrodes 321 and 323 and moves in the direction of arrow A4 due to the acceleration. And have. Then, the acceleration is detected by detecting the change in capacitance between the fixed electrode 321 and the movable electrode 325 and the change in capacitance between the fixed electrode 323 and the movable electrode 325. The speed is obtained by integrating the output of the acceleration sensor (FIG. 12-1) (FIG. 12-2), and the amount of movement is obtained by further integrating (FIG. 12-3).

  13 and 14 are diagrams for explaining an example of the detection principle of the rotation amount of the camera body 3 using the angular velocity sensor. As shown in FIG. 13, the angular velocity sensor has a pair of vibrating bodies 331 and 333 on which piezoelectric ceramic elements are formed, and the vibrating bodies 331 and 333 are vibrated in the vibration direction shown in FIG. The angular velocity is detected using the Coriolis force. Then, the amount of rotation is obtained by integrating the output of the angular velocity sensor (FIG. 14).

  The operation unit 15 shown in FIG. 7 functions as a setting unit such as a shooting start instruction, a shooting mode such as still image shooting or moving image shooting, a mode selection operation such as a playback mode or a communication mode, a shooting condition setting operation, and the like. This is for receiving an operation and notifying the control unit 21 of an operation signal. The operation unit 15 includes the release switch 5 and the button switch 7 of FIG.

  The display unit 16 is for displaying various setting information of the digital camera 1 in addition to the captured still image, moving image, and live view image, and includes an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display), an EL display (Electroluminescence Display), and the like. This is realized by the display device. For example, a live view image is redrawn every frame during the shooting mode and continuously displayed as a moving image on the display unit 16, and a captured still image or moving image is displayed during the playback mode.

  The recording unit 17 operates the digital camera 1 and records various camera programs for realizing various functions of the digital camera 1, data used during the execution of the camera program, and the like. This is for recording shooting data such as shot still image data, moving image data, and sound data, shooting data received from the counterpart camera 1, and the like. The recording unit 17 is realized by various IC memories such as ROM and RAM such as flash memory that can be updated and recorded, an information recording medium such as a built-in hard disk or a memory card connected by a data communication terminal, and a read / write device thereof. Therefore, a recording apparatus corresponding to the application can be appropriately employed and used.

  The clock unit 18 is for measuring the date and time. The shooting date and shooting time of the still image or movie are specified by the current time counted by the clock unit 18, and the shot still image or movie is recorded in the recording unit 17 together with the shooting date and shooting time. ing.

  The near field communication unit 19 is for performing near field wireless communication with the partner camera 1, and transmits and receives radio signals to and from the near field communication unit 19 of the partner camera 1 via an antenna, and demodulates the received signal. A transmission / reception circuit for modulating the transmission signal is also included. As described above, the proximity communication unit 19 periodically transmits a communication signal for notifying its presence at the time of activation, and detects a communication signal transmitted from the proximity communication unit 19 of another digital camera 1. Returning from the stop state or standby state, communication with other digital cameras 1 is established.

  The control unit 21 is realized by a CPU or the like, reads out and executes a camera program from the recording unit 17 according to an operation signal from the operation unit 15, and performs instructions and data transfer to each unit constituting the digital camera 1. Thus, the operation of the digital camera 1 is comprehensively controlled. The control unit 21 includes a transmission / reception control unit 211 that performs control to transmit data to the partner camera 1 via the proximity communication unit 19 and receive data transmitted from the partner camera 1. A program for causing the unit 21 to function as the transmission / reception control unit 211 is included. The transmission / reception control unit 211 determines a communication start instruction based on the posture and displacement of the camera body 3 and activates the proximity communication unit 19 when the communication start instruction is issued, and the posture of the camera body 3 is the transmission position. Depending on whether the communication is established with the partner camera 1 by the proximity communication unit 19, the transmission of data to the partner camera 1 and the reception of the data transmitted from the partner camera 1 are switched. Control.

  Next, a processing procedure performed by the digital camera 1 will be described. FIG. 15 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure of basic processing performed by the digital camera 1 according to the first embodiment. When the power is turned on, the digital camera 1 performs processing according to the mode selected by the user operation. That is, as shown in FIG. 15, when the currently selected mode is the shooting mode (step a1: Yes), the control unit 21 activates the imaging unit 11 to capture an image (step a3), and captures the image. A process for displaying the image as a live view image on the display unit 16 is performed (step a5). Then, while there is no shooting instruction (step a7: No), the process returns to step a3 to repeat the process, and the live view image is updated and displayed for each frame.

  When the release switch 5 is pressed and shooting is instructed (step a7: Yes), still image or moving image shooting processing is performed (step a9). That is, when still image shooting is performed, one shooting process is performed, and one still image data is generated and recorded in the recording unit 17. On the other hand, in the case of moving image shooting, still image data is continuously generated and recorded as moving image data in the recording unit 17. And the control part 21 will transfer to step a13, if the recording of the imaged still image data or moving image data is complete | finished (step a11: Yes). It should be noted that at the time of moving image shooting, sound recording processing such as sound collected by a microphone (not shown) may be performed to generate sound data and record it together with the moving image data.

  In step a13, the control unit 21 determines whether or not to end the shooting mode. When the control mode 21 ends (step a13: Yes), the process proceeds to step a39. If the shooting mode is not terminated (step a13: No), the control unit 21 returns to step a3.

  When the current mode is not the shooting mode (step a1: No) and in the playback mode (step a15: Yes), the control unit 21 sequentially reads the shooting data recorded in the recording unit 17 and performs playback processing. (Step a17). At this time, it is also possible to first display a list of still image data captured in the past or moving image data captured as a moving image. And what is selected from the list may be reproduced and displayed. Further, when reproducing a moving image, sound data recorded together with the moving image data may be output from a speaker (not shown). Note that the shooting data to be reproduced here includes shooting data received from the partner camera 1 in step a33 described later in addition to shooting data shot by the own device.

  When the reproduction process is completed, a selection operation of a captured image to be reproduced is accepted. If there is no operation for selecting a captured image to be reproduced (step a19: No), the process proceeds to step a23. On the other hand, if there is a selection operation (step a19: Yes), the control unit 21 switches the reproduced image to the selected captured image and displays it on the display unit 16 (step a21), and then proceeds to step a23.

  In step a23, the control unit 21 determines whether or not to end the playback mode. When the playback mode ends (step a23: Yes), the control unit 21 proceeds to step a39. When the reproduction mode is not terminated (step a23: No), the control unit 21 returns to step a19.

  In addition, when the digital camera 1 is turned on, the control unit 21 detects a communication start instruction based on the result of posture detection by the posture detection unit 13 and the result of displacement detection by the displacement detection unit 14, and starts communication. The proximity communication unit 19 is activated when an instruction is detected. That is, first, the posture detection unit 13 detects the posture of the camera body 3, and the displacement detection unit 14 detects the displacement of the camera body 3 (step a25). Then, when there is an instruction to start communication, that is, when the control unit 21 detects a vertically downward sliding movement with the back of the camera body 3 shown in FIG. 4 down (step a26: Yes), transmission / reception control is performed. The unit 211 activates the proximity communication unit 19 to start sending a communication signal (step a27), and then proceeds to step a29. At this time, as a communication start instruction, the communication start instruction is detected not only by detecting the vertical downward slide movement with the back surface of the camera body 3 down, but also by taking into account the speed of the slide movement. Also good.

  In the subsequent step a29, the case where communication with the counterpart camera 1 is established is monitored. Note that the communication with the partner camera 1 monitored here is a communication signal that the close communication unit 19 has started to send in step a27 if the communication start instruction is detected in step a26 described above. The other camera 1 automatically activates the near field communication unit 19 based on the received communication signal. On the other hand, even if the communication start instruction by the own device is not detected (step a26: No), if the communication start instruction is made on the other camera 1 side and the communication signal is transmitted from the other camera 1, these This is realized by receiving the communication signal from the counterpart camera 1 by bringing the camera bodies 3 of the camera 3 close to each other.

  When communication with the counterpart camera 1 is established when the digital camera 1 is turned on (step a29: Yes), the transmission / reception control unit 211 uses the camera body 3 based on the result of posture detection by the posture detection unit 13. The transmission attitude or the reception attitude of is detected. That is, when the camera body 3 is in the transmission posture (step a31: Yes), the transmission / reception control unit 211 enters the transmission mode, performs transmission control processing (step a33), and then proceeds to step a37. On the other hand, when the posture of the camera body 3 is not the transmission posture (step a31: No) and is the reception posture (step a34: Yes), the transmission / reception control unit 211 enters the reception mode and performs reception control processing (step a35), and then the process proceeds to step a37. If it is not the reception posture (step a34: No), the process proceeds to step a37.

  That is, in step a37, the transmission / reception control unit 211 stops the proximity communication unit 19 and proceeds to step a39.

  In step a39, the control unit 21 determines whether to end the basic process. For example, when the power switch is instructed by operating the button switch 7, the present process is terminated (step a39: Yes). On the other hand, if not finished (step a39: No), the process returns to step a1.

  Here, the transmission control process and the reception control process performed by the transmission / reception control unit 211 will be described. FIG. 16 is a flowchart illustrating detailed processing procedures of the transmission control process and the reception control process. Here, if the attitude of the own device is the transmission attitude, the transmission control process shown on the left side in FIG. 16 is performed, and if it is the reception attitude, the reception control process shown on the right side in FIG. 16 is performed.

  As shown in FIG. 16, in the transmission control process, the transmission / reception control unit 211 notifies the other camera 1 with which communication has been established of a reception request (step b1), and then determines whether there is a transmission request notification.

  Here, the transmission control process is a process executed when communication with the counterpart camera 1 is established while the camera body 3 is in the transmission attitude, and the reception control process is a counterpart process when the camera body 3 is in the reception attitude. This process is executed when communication with the camera 1 is established. In other words, regardless of the posture of the digital camera 1 when communication is established, the other camera 1 does not execute the reception control process unless it is in the receiving posture, and does not perform a transmission request notification (step c5) described later. Similarly, regardless of the attitude of the digital camera 1 when communication is established, the partner camera 1 does not execute the transmission control process unless it is in the transmission attitude, and does not perform the above-described reception request notification (step b1).

  Therefore, in the reception control process, the transmission / reception control unit 211 first determines whether or not there is a reception request notification. If there is no notification of the transmission request (step c1: No), since the other camera 1 is not in a state of transmitting data (transmission posture), the transmission / reception control unit 211 performs a process of displaying a warning to that effect. (Step c3), the reception control process is finished, and the process returns to Step a35 in FIG. If there is a transmission request notification (step c1: Yes), since the partner camera 1 is in a state of transmitting data (transmission posture), the transmission / reception control unit 211 notifies the partner camera 1 of the reception request (step). c5).

  On the other hand, in the transmission control process, when there is no notification of the reception request (step b3: No), since the other camera 1 is not in a state of receiving data (reception posture), the transmission / reception control unit 211 warns that effect. The display process is performed (step b5), the transmission control process is completed, and the process returns to step a33 in FIG. If there is a reception request notification (step b3: Yes), since the counterpart camera 1 is in a state of receiving data (reception posture), the transmission / reception control unit 211 continues to the recording unit via the proximity communication unit 19. A process of transmitting all or a part of the shooting data (still image, moving image data, sound data) recorded in 17 to the partner camera 1 with which communication has been established is performed (step b7).

  In response to this, in the reception control process, the transmission / reception control unit 211 notifies the counterpart camera 1 of the reception result (step c7). Then, when the data reception is successful (step c9: Yes), the transmission / reception control unit 211 performs a process of recording the received data in the recording unit 17 (step c11), finishes the reception control process, and FIG. The process returns to step a35. At this time, the received content data may be displayed on the display unit 16. Thereby, the user can confirm the content of the received data. If reception of data has failed (step c9: No), the transmission / reception control unit 211 displays a warning (step c13), ends the reception control process, and returns to step a35 in FIG. Specifically, the transmission / reception control unit 211 performs a process of displaying a message to that effect on the display unit 16 when there is a situation in which shooting data is not transmitted from the counterpart camera 1 in addition to when communication fails. Do.

  In the transmission control process, it is determined whether or not the transmission is successful based on the reception result notified from the counterpart camera 1. If the transmission of the data is successful (step b9: Yes), the transmission control process And the process returns to step a33 in FIG. If the data transmission fails (step b9: No), the transmission / reception control unit 211 displays a warning (step b11), finishes the transmission control process, and returns to step a33 in FIG. Specifically, the transmission / reception control unit 211 performs a process of displaying a message to that effect on the display unit 16 when a communication failure occurs. In addition, even when a situation such as no recording of still image data or moving image data occurs in the recording unit 17 and data transmission cannot be performed in step b7, processing for displaying a message to that effect on the display unit 16 is performed. .

  As described above, according to the first embodiment, a communication start instruction is detected based on the posture and displacement of the camera body 3, and when the communication start instruction is detected, the proximity communication unit 19 is activated and a radio signal is detected. Can be started. Then, data transmission to the partner camera 1 and data reception from the partner camera 1 can be switched according to whether the posture of the camera body 3 is the transmission posture or the reception posture. Accordingly, the user activates the proximity communication unit 19 of each digital camera 1 by a simple operation by simply moving the camera body 3, causes one digital camera 1 to transmit data, and the other proximity communication unit 19. Can be made to receive data. According to this, it is not necessary to input a communication start instruction for activating the near field communication unit 19 to each digital camera 1 that transmits and receives data, and further, a data transmission instruction and reception to the transmission-side digital camera 1 are received. There is no need to input a data reception instruction to the digital camera 1 on the side, and data can be easily transmitted / received to / from another digital camera 1.

  In addition, when communication is simply established between the digital cameras 1, data transmission / reception is not performed, and data transmission / reception can be performed when one is in a transmission posture and the other is in a reception posture. Can be prevented from being erroneously transmitted, for example, when the camera is brought close to another digital camera 1 unintentionally. Further, the proximity communication unit 19 is activated only when the posture of the camera body 3 is detected as a transmission posture or a reception posture, and the proximity communication unit 19 is not driven while the transmission posture or the reception posture of the camera body 3 is not detected. I did it. As a result, the power consumption of the digital camera 1 can be suppressed.

  Here, the proximity wireless communication between the proximity communication units 19 is a contactless wireless communication that is performed in a non-contact state and is capable of high-speed and large-capacity data transfer, and can achieve a transfer speed of, for example, 375 Mbps or more. Assuming close proximity wireless communication. As a result, all or part of shooting data such as still image data, moving image data, and sound data recorded in the digital camera 1 can be instantaneously transmitted to the counterpart camera 1.

(Embodiment 2)
FIG. 17 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure of basic processing performed by the digital camera according to the second embodiment. The digital camera according to the second embodiment is configured in the same manner as the digital camera 1 shown in FIG. 7 in the first embodiment, and the control unit of the digital camera according to the second embodiment is implemented. Processing different from that in the first embodiment is performed.

  When the power is turned on, the control unit first starts a proximity communication unit activation process (step d1). FIG. 18 is a flowchart showing a detailed processing procedure of the near field communication unit starting process started here.

  In the proximity communication unit activation process, the control unit first activates the proximity communication unit (step e1). Subsequently, the control unit starts a timer and starts a time measurement process (step e3). This timer is for measuring the elapsed time since the start of the proximity communication unit this time.

  Subsequently, the control unit determines the time count of the timer activated in step e3. Then, when the predetermined time ta does not elapse after the proximity communication unit is activated in step e1 (step e5: No), the process proceeds to step e7 to determine termination. For example, when the process is to be terminated (eg, when the digital camera is powered off) (step e7: Yes), the proximity communication unit is turned off (step e9), and the process is terminated. If the process is not terminated (step e7: No), the process returns to step e5.

  On the other hand, when the predetermined time ta has elapsed since the proximity communication unit is activated (step e5: Yes), the control unit determines whether communication is established with the partner camera. When communication is not established (step e11: No), the process proceeds to step e15. When communication is established (step e11: Yes), it is assumed that the transmission / reception control unit is transmitting / receiving data to / from the other camera, or the data is transmitted / received from now on. The unit is in a standby state until the transmission / reception control unit finishes data transmission / reception. Then, when the transmission / reception control unit finishes data transmission / reception (step e13: Yes), the control unit proceeds to step e15.

  In step e15, the control unit resets the timer. Thereafter, the control unit turns off the proximity communication unit (step e17).

  Subsequently, the control unit activates the timer again and starts the time measuring process (step e19). This timer is for measuring the elapsed time since the previous close communication unit was turned off.

  And a control part determines the time-measurement of the timer started by step e19. While the predetermined time tb has not elapsed since the proximity communication unit was turned off in step e17 (step e21: No), the process proceeds to step e23 to determine termination. For example, when the processing is to be ended, such as when the power of the digital camera is shut off (step e23: Yes), the processing ends. If the process is not terminated (step e23: No), the process returns to step e21.

  On the other hand, when the predetermined time tb has elapsed since the proximity communication unit was turned off (step e21: Yes), the control unit returns to step e1 to activate the proximity communication unit, and then proceeds to step e3 to Repeat the process.

  When the digital camera starts the proximity communication unit activation process as described above, the digital camera performs a process according to the mode selected by the user operation. That is, as shown in FIG. 17, when the currently selected mode is the shooting mode (step d3: Yes), the control unit activates the imaging unit to capture an image (step d5), and captures the captured image. Is displayed on the display unit as a live view image (step d7).

  If the release switch is pressed and shooting is instructed (step d9: Yes), still image or moving image shooting processing is performed as in the first embodiment (step d11). And a control part will transfer to step d19, if the recording of the imaged still image data or moving image data is complete | finished (step d13: Yes).

  On the other hand, when there is no shooting instruction (step d9: No), the process proceeds to step d15. Then, when communication is established with the partner camera during the shooting mode (step d15: Yes), the reception mode is set, and the transmission / reception control unit performs reception control processing (step d17). Here, the reception control process is performed in the same manner as the reception control process shown in FIG. 16 in the first embodiment. After this reception control process is completed, or when communication is not established in step d15 (step d15: No), the process proceeds to step d19.

  In step d19, the control unit determines whether or not to end the photographing mode. When the control unit ends (step d19: Yes), the control unit proceeds to step d35. If the shooting mode is not terminated (step d19: No), the control unit returns to step d5.

  When the current mode is not the shooting mode (step d3: No) and in the playback mode (step d21: Yes), the control unit sequentially reads the shooting data recorded in the recording unit and performs the playback process ( Step d23).

  When communication is established with the other camera during this playback mode (step d25: Yes), the transmission mode is set and the transmission / reception control unit performs transmission control processing (step d27). Here, the transmission control process is performed in the same manner as the transmission control process shown in FIG. 16 in the first embodiment. In the transmission control process here, for example, the shooting data being reproduced is transmitted to the partner camera. After this transmission control process is completed, or when communication is not established at step d25 (step d25: No), the process proceeds to step d29.

  In step d29, an operation for selecting a captured image to be reproduced is accepted. If there is no operation for selecting a captured image to be reproduced (step d29: No), the process proceeds to step d33. If there is a selection operation (step d29: Yes), the control unit switches the reproduced image to the selected captured image and displays it on the display unit (step d31), and then proceeds to step d33.

  In step d33, the control unit determines whether or not to end the reproduction mode. When the control unit ends (step d33: Yes), the control unit proceeds to step d35. If the playback mode is not terminated (step d33: No), the control unit returns to step d25.

  If the current mode is not the shooting mode (step d3: No) and is not the playback mode (step d21: No), the process proceeds to step d35.

  In step d35, the control unit determines whether to end the basic process. For example, when the power switch is instructed by the operation of the button switch 7, this process is finished (step d35: Yes). On the other hand, if not finished (step d35: No), the process returns to step d3.

  Here, the reception control process of the second embodiment is a process executed when communication is established with the counterpart camera during the shooting mode, and the transmission control process is performed with the counterpart camera during the playback mode. This process is executed when communication is established. In other words, regardless of the mode of the digital camera when communication is established, if the partner camera is not in the playback mode, the transmission control process is not executed and the reception request notification (see step b1 in FIG. 16) is not performed. Similarly, regardless of the mode of the digital camera when communication is established, if the partner camera is not in the shooting mode, it does not execute the reception control process and does not send a transmission request (see step c5 in FIG. 16).

  As described above, according to the second embodiment, data transmission to the partner camera and data reception from the partner camera are switched according to whether the mode of the digital camera is the shooting mode or the playback mode. be able to. Therefore, the user only needs to set the digital camera 1 on the data transmission side to the playback mode, set the digital camera 1 on the data reception side to the shooting mode, and establish communication by bringing them close to each other. According to this, it is not necessary to operate the button switch and repeat the menu operation to input a data transmission instruction or data reception instruction, and data can be easily transmitted / received to / from another digital camera 1. There is an effect that can be.

  Note that the orientation of the camera body may be detected when communication is established in step d15 in FIG. Specifically, as in the first embodiment, the reception posture of the camera body is detected based on the result of posture detection by the posture detection unit, and in the case of the reception posture, the process proceeds to step d17 to perform reception control processing. You may make it perform. Even when communication is established in step d25, the transmission posture of the camera body is detected based on the result of posture detection by the posture detection unit in the same manner as in the first embodiment. The transmission control process may be performed after shifting.

  In addition, when communication is simply established between digital cameras, data transmission / reception is not performed, and data transmission / reception can be performed when one is in shooting mode and the other is in playback mode. Thus, it is possible to reduce erroneous transmission when the camera is brought close to other digital cameras. Furthermore, the proximity communication unit activation process is performed when the digital camera is turned on, and the proximity communication unit is activated for a predetermined time ta with an interval of a predetermined time tb. Thereby, it is possible to suppress the power consumption of the digital camera.

(Embodiment 3)
FIG. 19 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure of basic processing performed by the digital camera according to the third embodiment. In FIG. 19, the same processing steps as those in FIG. The digital camera of the third embodiment is configured in the same way as the digital camera 1 shown in FIG. 7 in the first embodiment, and the control unit of the digital camera of the third embodiment is implemented. Processing different from that in the first embodiment is performed.

  In the third embodiment, when there is no shooting instruction in the shooting mode (step d9: No), the process proceeds to step f19, and the control unit monitors the case where communication is established with the partner camera. Note that the communication with the other camera to be monitored here is a case where the other camera in the playback mode is instructed to start communication and a communication signal is sent from the other camera. This is realized by activating the proximity communication unit when receiving a communication signal transmitted from the network.

  When communication is established with the partner camera (step f19: Yes), the transmission / reception control unit detects the reception posture of the camera body based on the result of posture detection by the posture detection unit. When the reception posture of the camera body is detected (step f20: Yes), the transmission / reception control unit enters the reception mode and performs reception control processing (step f21). Here, the reception control process is performed in the same manner as the reception control process shown in FIG. 16 in the first embodiment. At this time, a message indicating that the reception mode is set may be displayed on the display unit to notify the user. Further, this notification is not limited to the message display on the display unit, and may be, for example, a mark display for notifying reception of data to the display unit, a blinking display of the mark, etc. It is good also as a structure which provides a light emission part (LED) in this, and alert | reports by lighting or blinking of this light emission part. After this reception control process is completed, or when communication is not established in step f19 (No), the process proceeds to step f23. Here, the case where the reception posture is detected in step f20 and the reception of data from the partner camera is controlled has been described. However, not only the reception posture but also the transmission posture may be detected. Then, the processing may be branched depending on whether the detected posture of the camera body is the transmission posture or the reception posture, and in the case of the transmission posture, the transmission control process may be performed in the transmission mode.

  In step f23, the transmission / reception control unit puts the near field communication unit in a stopped state, and proceeds to step d19.

  Further, when the reproduction process is finished in the reproduction mode (step d23), the process proceeds to step f25. Then, the control unit detects a communication start instruction based on the result of posture detection by the posture detection unit and the result of displacement detection by the displacement detection unit. That is, first, the posture of the camera body is detected by the posture detector, and the displacement of the camera body is detected by the displacement detector (step f25). Then, when there is an instruction to start communication, for example, when the slide movement is detected in the vertically downward direction with the back of the camera body shown in FIG. 4 down (step f26: Yes), the transmission / reception control unit The proximity communication unit is activated to start transmission of a communication signal (step f27), and then the process proceeds to step f29.

  In the subsequent step f29, the case where communication is established with the counterpart camera is monitored. As in the first embodiment, the communication with the partner camera to be monitored here is a communication in which the proximity communication unit starts sending in step f27 if a communication start instruction is detected in step f26 described above. The other camera receives the signal, and the other camera automatically activates the near field communication unit according to the received communication signal. On the other hand, even if the communication start instruction by the own device is not detected (step f26: No), if the communication start instruction is given on the partner camera side and a communication signal is transmitted from the partner camera, these cameras are used. This is realized by receiving communication signals from the partner camera while the main bodies are close to each other.

  When communication with the counterpart camera is established when the digital camera is turned on (step f29: Yes), the transmission / reception control unit transmits or receives the camera body based on the result of posture detection by the posture detection unit. Detect posture. That is, when the camera body is in the transmission posture (step f31: Yes), the transmission / reception control unit enters the transmission mode to perform transmission control processing (step f33), and then proceeds to step f37. Here, the transmission control process is performed in the same manner as the transmission control process shown in FIG. 16 in the first embodiment. In the transmission control process here, the shooting data being reproduced may be transmitted to the partner camera. At this time, a message indicating that the transmission mode is set may be displayed on the display unit to notify the user. Or it is good also as a structure notified by the mark display which alert | reports transmission of the data to a display part, the blink display of a mark, lighting of the light emission part provided in the camera main body, or blinking. Here, the light-emitting unit may be provided with a dedicated light-emitting unit separately from the light-emitting unit that notifies the reception of data. It is good also as a structure which light-emits so that identification is possible.

  On the other hand, if the posture of the camera body is not the transmission posture (step f31: No) and the reception posture is (step f34: Yes), the transmission / reception control unit enters the reception mode and performs reception control processing (step f35). Then, the process proceeds to step f37. Here, the reception control process is performed in the same manner as the reception control process shown in FIG. 16 in the first embodiment. At this time, a message indicating that the reception mode is set may be displayed on the display unit to notify the user. Or it is good also as a structure which alert | reports by the mark display which alert | reports reception of the data to a display part, the blink display of a mark, lighting of the light emission part provided in the camera main body, or blinking. If it is not the reception posture (step 34: No), the process proceeds to step f37.

  In step f37, the transmission / reception control unit stops the proximity communication unit, and proceeds to step d29.

  Here, the reception control process of the third embodiment is a process executed when the camera body is in the reception posture state during the shooting mode or the playback mode, and the transmission control process is performed during the playback mode. The process is executed when the camera body is in the transmission posture. In other words, regardless of the posture and mode of the digital camera when communication is established, the other camera is not in the transmission posture and in the playback mode, the transmission control process is not executed, and the reception request is notified (step b1 in FIG. 16). Do not do). Similarly, regardless of the attitude and mode of the digital camera when communication is established, the other camera is not in the receiving attitude and is not in the shooting mode or the playback mode, and does not execute the reception control process and notifies the transmission request (FIG. 16). Step c5) is not performed.

  As described above, according to the third embodiment, the communication start instruction is detected based on the posture and displacement of the camera body during the playback mode, and the proximity communication unit is activated when the communication start instruction is detected. Transmission of a wireless signal can be started. And when communication is established with another digital camera during the playback mode, and the transmission posture of the camera body is detected, data is transmitted to the other camera, and the camera is in shooting mode or playback mode. In addition, when communication is established with another digital camera and the reception posture of the camera body is detected, data can be received from the counterpart camera. According to this, while having the same effect as Embodiment 1, it is possible to determine the communication start instruction in consideration of the operation mode of the digital camera and to activate the proximity communication unit. Therefore, when there is shooting data to be transmitted to another digital camera during the playback mode, the user moves the camera body according to the communication start instruction and sets the camera body of the digital camera in the playback mode to the transmission posture. Data transmission / reception can be performed simply by setting the camera body of the digital camera to the receiving posture and bringing them close to each other to establish communication.

  In addition, when communication is simply established between digital cameras, data transmission / reception is not performed, one is in the playback mode and the transmission posture, and the other is in the shooting mode or the playback mode and the reception posture. Therefore, it is possible to further reduce erroneous transmission when the digital camera is unintentionally brought close to another digital camera. Furthermore, the proximity communication unit is activated only when the posture of the camera body is detected as the transmission posture or the reception posture, and the proximity communication unit is not driven while the transmission posture or the reception posture of the camera body is not detected. As a result, the power consumption of the digital camera 1 can be suppressed.

  The preferred embodiment of the present invention has been described above, but the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and can be appropriately changed without departing from the spirit of the invention.

  FIG. 20 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a main internal configuration of the digital camera 1a according to the modification. In FIG. 20, the same components as those in FIG. 7 are denoted by the same reference numerals. The digital camera 1a of this modification has a configuration in which the proximity communication unit 19a includes an activation unit 20a. The activation unit 20a activates the control unit 21a in a stopped state or a standby state by electromagnetic induction generated in the antenna, and then activates the proximity communication unit 19a under the control of the control unit 21a. That is, the proximity communication unit 19a detects the communication signal transmitted from the proximity communication unit 19a of the other digital camera 1a by the activation unit 20a, and activates the control unit 21a. The control unit 21a activated in this way activates the near field communication unit 19a and establishes communication with the other digital camera 1a.

  The above embodiment has been described on the assumption that the digital camera 1a is powered on. On the other hand, according to the digital camera 1a of the present configuration, even if one of the two digital cameras 1a is turned off, if the other digital camera 1a is turned on, It is possible to automatically start the power of one digital camera 1a whose power is cut off by the starting unit 20a included in the proximity communication unit 19a of the digital camera 1a to which the power is turned on. That is, in the digital camera 1a whose power is cut off, the camera body is moved according to the communication start instruction described in the above-described embodiment, and the communication transmitted from the other digital camera 1a in which the proximity communication unit 19a is activated. The power can be automatically turned on by the signal.

  Further, as described above, the digital camera 1a may start data transmission / reception processing when the power is turned on by a communication signal sent from another digital camera (a partner camera) 1a. FIG. 21 is a flowchart showing a procedure of transmission / reception processing.

  As shown in FIG. 21, when the proximity communication unit 19a of the digital camera 1a is brought close to the communicable range of the proximity communication unit 19a of the counterpart camera 1a and receives a communication signal transmitted by the proximity communication unit 19a of the counterpart camera 1a, Electromagnetic induction occurs in the antenna of the proximity communication unit 19a of the digital camera 1a, and communication is established with the partner camera 1a (step g1). Specifically, at this time, the activation unit 20a of the proximity communication unit 19a of the digital camera 1a activates the control unit 21a by electromagnetic induction generated in the antenna, and the power source of the digital camera 1a is turned on (step g3). Thereafter, the control unit 21a activates the proximity communication unit 19a.

  When the power of the digital camera 1a is turned on in this way, the control unit 21a activates the proximity communication unit 19a and then transmits or receives the camera body based on the result of posture detection by the posture detection unit 13. Detect posture. And if the transmission attitude | position of a camera main body is detected (step g5: Yes), the transmission / reception control part 211 will be next in transmission mode, will perform a transmission control process (step g7), and will transfer to step g13 after that. On the other hand, when the reception posture of the camera body is detected (step g9: Yes), the transmission / reception control unit 211 enters the reception mode, performs reception control processing (step g11), and then proceeds to step g13. Here, the transmission control process and the reception control process are performed in the same manner as the transmission control process and the reception control process shown in FIG. 16 in the first embodiment. In the transmission control processing here, for example, the shooting data with the latest shooting date and time may be transmitted to the partner camera 1a, or the shooting data reproduced first in the playback mode may be transmitted to the partner camera. Good.

  In step g13, the transmission / reception control unit 211 stops the near field communication unit 19a and ends the process.

  According to this modification, even when one digital camera 1a is in a power-off state, as long as the other digital camera 1a is powered on, the transmitting-side digital camera 1a is set to the transmitting posture, and the receiving-side digital camera 1a is turned on. Data transmission / reception can be switched by simply moving the camera 1a close to the camera 1a.

  Further, in the above-described embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 4, a case has been described in which a downward sliding movement with the back surface of the camera body 3 down is detected as a communication start instruction. The communication start instruction may be defined only by this. In this case, the proximity communication unit 19 can be activated when a predetermined posture of the camera body 3 is detected. In addition, a communication start instruction can be defined only by the displacement of the camera body 3. In this case, the proximity communication unit 19 can be activated when a predetermined displacement of the camera body 3 is detected.

  Further, the communication start instruction is not limited to the vertically downward sliding movement with the back surface of the camera body 3 shown in FIG. 4, and can be appropriately set by combining the rotation and tilt of the camera body. it can. For example, by using the user's operation for switching from the gripping state during normal use to the gripping state during communication described with reference to FIGS. 5 and 6, the camera body 3 is rotated in the horizontal direction to detect the displacement turned over. The proximity communication unit 19 may be activated.

  Further, in the above-described embodiment, the digital camera that is moved vertically downward with the back side down is the transmission side (see FIG. 4). In this way, unintended data transmission can be prevented by moving the digital camera on the transmission side. On the other hand, a digital camera moved from vertically upward to downward may be the receiving side. For example, when you want to send shooting data recorded on a digital camera to multiple digital cameras, the digital camera on the receiving side is placed in the vertical direction in order with the digital camera on the sending side placed on a table, for example. By moving closer to the camera, it is possible to sequentially transmit the shooting data to the closer digital camera.

  Also, in order to ensure close proximity wireless communication between digital cameras performed by bringing the camera body closer, a vibration generator such as a vibrator is built in the camera body, and the vibration generator is vibrated when communication is established. Thus, the communication state may be notified. Or you may make it perform the sound output which alert | reports that the communication was established from the speaker which the digital camera comprises which is not shown in figure. In this way, the user can easily recognize the communication state. At this time, the strength of the radio wave received from the partner camera may be determined, and the strength or frequency of the vibration generated by the vibration generator may be changed, or the strength of the sound output from the speaker may be changed. According to this, the user can easily confirm the communication state with the assistance of tactile sensation or hearing. Furthermore, by generating vibrations and outputting sound according to whether the camera body is in the transmission posture or the reception posture, the user can determine whether the digital camera to be transmitted / received is the transmission side or the reception side by tactile sensation or hearing. Data can be sent and received without error.

  In the above-described embodiment, the transmission of data to the partner camera and the reception of data from the partner camera are switched according to whether the posture of the camera body is the transmission posture or the reception posture. The transmission and reception of data may be switched in consideration of the displacement of the camera body detected by the displacement detector. For example, the displacement of the camera body to be added can be set in advance by combining the slide movement, rotation, inclination of the camera body, or a combination thereof. According to this, since transmission / reception of data can be switched in consideration of the camera body displacement in addition to the camera body posture, erroneous transmission such as when the digital camera is unintentionally brought close to another digital camera, etc. Can be further reduced.

  In the above-described embodiment, the displacement of the camera body 3 is detected by the displacement detector 14 such as an acceleration sensor or an angular velocity sensor. However, the displacement of the camera body 3 may be detected by image processing. . For example, detecting a displacement of the camera body by calculating a motion vector representing a change amount of the same subject position reflected in each live view image captured by the imaging unit 11 for each frame and detecting a motion between frames. It is good. In this case, even a digital camera that does not include an angular velocity sensor or an acceleration sensor can detect the displacement of the camera body without adding a new configuration.

  Further, in the first embodiment described above, the case where the antenna of the proximity communication unit 19 is disposed on the back side of the camera body 3 is illustrated, and communication is established when the back surfaces of the camera body 3 are brought close to each other. However, the arrangement position of the proximity communication unit is not limited to this. FIG. 22 is an explanatory view showing a state in which communication is performed between the digital cameras 1b of the modified example from the side, and one is a digital camera 1b-1 and the other is a digital camera 1b-2.

  As shown in FIG. 22, the near field communication units 19 b of the digital cameras 1 b-1 and 1 b-2 are provided such that their antennas are arranged on the front side of the camera body 3. When the proximity communication units 19b come close to each other within a communicable range, communication is established between them. In this case, for example, a displacement that slides vertically downward with the front surface of the camera body 3 facing vertically downward may be detected as a communication start instruction. That is, when the user wants to start the communication by starting the proximity communication unit 19b, the user is in a vertical state as indicated by an arrow A6 in FIG. 22 with the back surface of the camera body 3 of the digital camera 1b-1 facing down. Slide down and move. When the camera body 3 is moved in this manner, the proximity communication unit 19b is activated, and communication with another digital camera 1b (1b-2) becomes possible.

  In the first embodiment described above, the posture of the digital camera 1 in the front-rear direction is defined by the arrangement position of the proximity communication unit 19 (specifically, the antenna of the proximity communication unit 19). However, in this case, in practice, communication is established regardless of the posture of the camera body 3 in the vertical and horizontal directions if the proximity communication units 19 are close to each other. In order to solve this problem, posture information may be transmitted / received to / from the counterpart camera 1 to determine whether the vertical and horizontal directions are aligned. Then, data transmission / reception may be performed when the directions are aligned. According to this, the posture of the camera body 3 when transmitting / receiving data to / from another digital camera 1 can be more precisely defined, and erroneous transmission when the camera bodies 3 are brought close to each other unintentionally is further reduced. it can.

  Further, data transmission / reception may be performed only with a specific digital camera. In this case, a partner camera to be transmitted / received in the digital camera is registered in advance. Data transmission / reception is performed when the partner camera with which communication has been established is registered, and transmission / reception is not performed when the other camera is not registered. At this time, it is configured such that the sending partner's partner camera and the receiving partner's partner camera are individually registered, and data is transmitted only to the specific sending partner's partner camera, and data is sent only from the specific receiving partner's partner camera. May be received.

  In the above-described embodiment, a digital camera has been described as an example of a camera that transmits shooting data. However, for example, data transmission / reception with another device such as a mobile phone with a camera function, a game machine, or a music player is performed. It can be applied to portable terminals that can For example, the present invention can also be applied to a case where a portable music player, which is an example of a portable terminal, transmits / receives music data to / from other portable devices. Further, in a portable music player, the present invention can be similarly applied to a case where data associated with the music data such as CD jacket image data is transmitted / received together with the music data to / from other portable devices. is there.

It is a schematic perspective view which shows the front side of a digital camera. It is a schematic perspective view which shows the back side of a digital camera. It is explanatory drawing which showed a mode that communication was performed between digital cameras from the side surface side. It is explanatory drawing explaining a communication start instruction. It is a figure which shows the holding state of the camera main body at the time of normal use. It is a figure which shows the holding state of the camera main body at the time of communication. It is a block diagram which shows an example of the main internal structures of a digital camera. It is a figure for demonstrating the attitude | position detection and displacement detection of a camera main body. It is a figure explaining an example of the detection principle of the attitude | position of a camera main body. It is another figure explaining an example of the detection principle of the attitude | position of a camera main body. It is a figure explaining an example of the detection principle of the movement amount of a camera main body. It is another figure explaining the detection principle of the movement amount of a camera main body. It is another figure explaining the detection principle of the movement amount of a camera main body. It is another figure explaining the detection principle of the movement amount of a camera main body. It is a figure explaining the detection principle of the rotation amount of a camera main body. It is another figure explaining the detection principle of the rotation amount of a camera main body. 4 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure of basic processing performed by the digital camera according to the first embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the detailed process sequence of a transmission control process and a reception control process. 10 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure of basic processing performed by the digital camera according to the second embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the detailed process sequence of a near field communication part starting process. 10 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure of basic processing performed by the digital camera according to the third embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows an example of the main internal structures of the digital camera in a modification. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure of a transmission / reception process. It is explanatory drawing which showed a mode that it communicates between the digital cameras of another modification from the side.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1,1a Digital camera 3 Camera body 4 Imaging lens 5 Release switch 7 Button switch 8 Grip part 11 Imaging part 12 Image processing part 13 Attitude detection part 14 Displacement detection part 15 Operation part 16 Display part 17 Recording part 18 Clock part 19, 19a Proximity communication unit 20a Start-up unit 21, 21a Control unit 211 Transmission / reception control unit

Claims (7)

A proximity communication unit that performs proximity wireless communication with an external device;
A transmission / reception control unit for controlling transmission of data to the external device and / or reception of data transmitted from the external device via the proximity communication unit;
A posture / displacement posture detection unit for detecting the posture and / or displacement of the apparatus body;
With
The portable device characterized in that the transmission / reception control unit activates the proximity communication unit in accordance with the posture and / or displacement of the apparatus main body detected by the posture / displacement posture detection unit.   The transmission / reception control unit performs control by switching between transmission of the data and reception of the data in accordance with the posture and / or displacement of the apparatus main body detected by the posture / displacement posture detection unit. The mobile device according to claim 1. An imaging unit that captures a subject image and generates shooting data;
A recording unit for recording the photographing data;
A setting unit for setting a shooting mode for generating shooting data by the imaging unit or a display mode for displaying shooting data recorded in the recording unit on a display unit as an operation mode;
With
The portable device according to claim 1, wherein the transmission / reception control unit activates the proximity communication unit in consideration of an operation mode set by the setting unit.   The transmission / reception control unit is a case where a display mode is set by the setting unit, and a predetermined posture and / or displacement of the device body preset by the posture / displacement posture detection unit is detected. The portable device according to claim 2, wherein the proximity communication unit is activated. A display unit disposed on the back of the apparatus body,
An antenna of the proximity communication unit is arranged on the back side of the apparatus main body on which the display unit is arranged,
The orientation of the apparatus main body with respect to the external device when performing close proximity wireless communication with the external device via the proximity communication unit is defined by the arrangement of the antenna. The portable device as described in any one of. A proximity communication unit that performs proximity wireless communication with an external device;
A transmission / reception control unit for controlling transmission of data to the external device and reception of data transmitted from the external device via the proximity communication unit;
An attitude detection unit for detecting the attitude of the apparatus body;
With
The portable device according to claim 1, wherein the transmission / reception control unit controls switching between transmission of the data and reception of the data in accordance with the posture of the apparatus main body detected by the posture detection unit. A portable device including an imaging unit that captures a subject image and generates shooting data, and a recording unit that records the shooting data,
A setting unit for setting a shooting mode for generating shooting data by the imaging unit or a display mode for displaying shooting data recorded in the recording unit on a display unit as an operation mode;
A proximity communication unit that performs proximity wireless communication with an external device;
A transmission / reception control unit for controlling transmission of data to the external device and reception of data transmitted from the external device via the proximity communication unit;
With
The portable device characterized in that the transmission / reception control unit switches and controls transmission of the data and reception of the data according to an operation mode set by the setting unit.

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