Electronic image pickup system for transmitting image data by remote-controlling

• US 6,204,877 B1
• Filed: 07/18/1997
• Issued: 03/20/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 09/09/1994
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Olympus Optical Corporation Limited (Olympus Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Olympus Optical Corporation Limited (Olympus Corporation)
• Inventors: Kiyokawa, Izuru
• Primary Examiner(s): Garber, Wendy
• Assistant Examiner(s): Vu, Ngoc-Yen, VU, NGOC YEN T
• Application Number:
  US08/896,643
• Time in Patent Office: 1,341 Days
• Field of Search: H04/N.5232, H04/N.576, H04/N.5225, 348/13, 348/14, 348/15, 348/16, 348/17-20, 348/207, 348/211, 348/212, 348/213, 348/231, 348/232, 348/233, 348/552, 348/333.01, 348/333.02, 348/333.04, 348/373, 348/374, 348/375, 348/376, 358/906, 358/909.1
• US Class Current: 348/211.3
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00281 with a telecommunication apparatus, e.g. a switched network of teleprinters for the distribution of text-based information, a selective call terminal details of transmission H04N1/00095; establishing a communication with one of a facsimile machine or another apparatus sharing a single line H04N1/32704; interfacing cordless telephone terminals with an accessory to increase the functionality of user interface H04M1/72409
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00347 with another still picture apparatus, e.g. hybrid still picture apparatus circuits or arrangements for control or supervision between image input and image output device H04N1/32
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/0044 for image preview or review, e.g. to help the user position a sheet
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/2112 using still video cameras
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/2137 with temporary storage before final recording, e.g. in a frame buffer
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/2158 using a detachable storage unit
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2101/00 Still video cameras
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/0013 Arrangements for the control of the connected apparatus by the still picture apparatus arrangements for the control of a still picture apparatus by the connected apparatus H04N2201/0074; control of image communication with the connected apparatus H04N2201/0015
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/0049 By wire, cable or the like
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/0062 Stand-alone interface device
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/0074 Arrangements for the control of a still picture apparatus by the connected apparatus arrangements for the control of the connected apparatus by the still picture apparatus H04N2201/0013; control of image communication with the connected apparatus H04N2201/0015
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/0084 Digital still camera
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/0086 Image transceiver H04N2201/0093 and H04N2201/0094 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/662 by using master/slave camera arrangements for affecting the control of camera image capture, e.g. placing the camera in a desirable condition to capture a desired image
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/67 Focus control based on electronic image sensor signals
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/695 Control of camera direction for changing a field of view, e.g. pan, tilt or based on tracking of objects

Abstract

In order to provide an electronic image pickup system which can simplify the system arrangement, and can perform mutual transmission of image data and a remote-controlling operation, an electronic still camera on the master side transmits operation data for defining a photographing operation in accordance with an operation with respect to the camera on the master side to an electronic still camera on the slave side. The electronic still camera on the slave side receives the operation data from the master side, and performs a photographing operation corresponding to the operation data. The electronic still camera on the slave side transmits a picked-up image signal to the electronic still camera on the master side to display the image signal on the electronic viewfinder of the electronic still camera on the master side.

Claims

1. An electronic still camera system including a plurality of electronic still cameras capable of mutually exchanging information through communication means, the electronic still camera system comprising:

at least a first electronic still camera having an operation section said first electronic still camera being positioned on an operating side of said system, said first electronic still camera being selected from said plurality of electronic still cameras and initiating an exchange of information when said operation section is activated; and

at least a second electronic still camera being positioned on an operated side of said system, said second electronic still camera being selected from said plurality of electronic still cameras and exchanging information with said first electronic still camera in response to activation of said operation section;

wherein said first electronic still camera comprises control data transmission means for transmitting control data which defines at least one of photographing and recording operations of said second electronic still camera in response to an activation of said operation section;

said second electronic still camera on the operated side comprising;

control data reception means for receiving the control data transmitted by said first electronic still camera, and

photographing operation control means for performing a photographing operation in accordance with the control data received by said control data reception means, and

each of said first and second electronic still cameras comprising

image data transmission means for transmitting image data obtained by one of said first and second still cameras upon photoelectric conversion and photography to the other of said first and second electronic still cameras; and

a change-over means capable of selectively taking a first state or a second state, and wherein the electronic still camera is exclusively assigned to operate as said first electronic still camera while said change-over means takes said first state thereof, and the electronic still camera is exclusively assigned to operate as said second electronic still camera while said change-over means takes said second state thereof.

2. A system according to claim 1, wherein said first electronic still camera comprises recording means for recording image data transmitted from said image data transmission means when no recording medium is arranged in said second electronic still camera.

3. A system according to claim 1, wherein said first electronic still camera comprises recording means for recording image data transmitted from said image data transmission means when a recording medium in said second electronic still camera undergoes a shortage of a remaining capacity.

4. A system according to claim 1, wherein said second electronic still camera comprises check image data transmission means for, when a zooming operation is performed by said first electronic still camera, compressing image information to such an extent that an image having undergone the zooming operation can be checked, and transmitting the image information to said first electronic still camera.

5. A system according to claim 1, wherein said second electronic still camera comprises specific area selection means for selecting a specific area to be subjected to a focusing operation by said second electronic still camera, said focusing operation being conducted in accordance with an activation of said operation section when a focusing operation is to be performed by said photographing operation control means of said second electronic still camera in accordance with the control data corresponding to a focusing operation in said first electronic still camera, and specific area information transmission means for compressing image information to such an extent that a focusing degree of the specific area can be checked, and transmitting the compressed information to said first electronic still camera.

6. A system according to claim 1, wherein said second electronic still camera comprises photographing operation preference means for preferentially performing a photographing operation with respect to a transmitting operation upon reception of control data indicating depression of a trigger switch of said operation section of said first electronic still camera during transmission of image data to said first electronic still camera.

7. A system according to claim 1, wherein said control data transmission means of said first electronic still camera adds identification information of said second electronic still camera to the control data, and transmits the control data to said at least second electronic still camera of the plurality of electronic still cameras on the operated side as an indication of at least one destination, each of said at least second electronic still cameras comprising self-recognition means for recognizing the control data corresponding to said second electronic still camera on the basis of the identification information.

8. A system according to claim 1, wherein said change-over means comprises:

a first change-over switch for switching between a master mode and a slave mode in a remote-controlling operation, and wherein the electronic still camera system operates as said at least the first electronic still camera in said master mode, and operates as said at least the second electronic still camera in said slave mode; and

a second change-over switch for switching between a first position for causing said remote-controlling operation and a second position for causing another operation of the electronic still camera system.

9. A system according to claim 1, wherein at least one of said plurality of electronic still cameras further comprises:

an I/O data bus of PCMCIA scheme for providing a data stream conduit from a card connector of the at least one of said plurality of electronic still cameras to a system controller for controlling overall electronic still camera system operation, or to another circuit in the at least one of said plurality of electronic still cameras for data processing or storing, said card connector being adaptable to an IC memory card for storing image data.

10. A system according to claim 1, wherein at least one of said plurality of electronic still cameras further comprises:

an I/O data bus of PCMCIA scheme for providing a data stream conduit from a card connector of the at least one of said plurality of electronic still cameras to a system controller for controlling overall electronic still camera system operation, or to another circuit in the at least one of said plurality of electronic still cameras for data processing or storing, said card connector being adaptable to an IC memory card for storing image data, or to another electronic circuit for supporting communication between the at least one of the plurality of electronic still cameras and another external device connected thereto.

11. A system according to claim 1, wherein at least one of said plurality of electronic still cameras further comprises:

an I/O data bus of PCMCIA scheme for providing a data stream conduit for inter-connecting at least two of a card connector of the at least one of said plurality of electronic still cameras, a built-in memory, a first data input/output section, and a second data input/output section.

12. A system according to claim 1, wherein said first electronic still camera comprises warning means for receiving warning information of a remaining battery amount of said second electronic still camera, and generating a warning signal in a form different from that of a warning signal of a remaining battery amount of said first electronic still camera.

13. A system according to claim 12, wherein said first electronic still camera generates said warning signal of said remaining battery amount of said electronic still camera with a buzzer of said first electronic still camera.

14. A system according to claim 1, wherein at least one of said plurality of electronic still cameras further comprises;

an I/O data bus of PCMCIA scheme for providing a data stream conduit from a card connector of the at least one camera to a system controller for controlling overall camera system operation, or to another circuit in the at least one camera for data processing or storing, said card connector being adaptable to various cards for supporting communication between the at least one camera and any other external device connected thereto.

15. A system according to claim 14, wherein said card connector is adaptable for coupling to a card for supporting radio transmission/reception.

16. A system according to claim 1, wherein said second electronic still camera comprises drive control means for controlling a driving operation of an imaging visual field changing device on the basis of the control data received from said control data reception means, said imaging visual field changing device being set to support said second electronic still camera.

17. A system according to claim 16, wherein said first electronic still camera comprises operation means for driving said imaging visual field changing device in a horizontal panning direction with telephoto- and wide-range operation elements and a driving operation in a vertical tilting direction with up and down operation elements of said first electronic still camera.

18. A system according to claim 16, further comprising data addition means for adding to the control data, data for supporting said first electronic still camera on an imaging visual field changing device similar to said imaging visual field changing device for supporting said second electronic still camera and for defining an imaging visual field corresponding to an operation of said imaging visual field changing device on the operating side.

19. A system according to claim 1, wherein at least one of said first and second electronic still cameras includes a recording medium for recording image data which is to be photographed or transmitted.

20. A system according to claim 19, wherein said recording medium is incorporated and fixed in a camera body of at least one of said electronic still cameras.

21. A system according to claim 19, wherein said recording medium is detachably mounted in a camera body of at least one of said electronic still cameras.

22. A system according to claim 19, wherein the recording medium includes a first medium incorporated and fixed in a camera body and a second medium detachably mounted in said camera body, said first and second media being connected to each other via a data bus of the same signal form.

23. A system according to claim 1, wherein each of said first and second electronic still cameras comprise a data input/output section for input and output of the control data and the image data.

24. A system according to claim 23, wherein said data input/output section is a card connector.

25. A system according to claim 23, wherein said data input/output section is a connector different from a card connector.

26. A system according to claim 23, wherein said data input/output section includes a card connector and a connector different from a card connector.

27. An electronic still camera system including a plurality of electronic still cameras capable of mutually exchanging information through communication means, the electronic still camera system comprising:

an electronic still camera on an operating side, said electronic still camera being selected from said plurality of electronic still cameras and initiating an exchange of information; and

at least one electronic still camera on an operated side, said at least one electronic still camera being selected from said plurality of electronic still cameras and exchanging information in response to an operation of said electronic still camera on the operating side;

wherein said electronic still camera on the operating side comprises control data transmission means for transmitting control data for defining at least one of photographing and recording operations to said electronic still camera on the operated side in response to an operation with respect to the operation switch of said electronic still camera on the operating side;

said at least one electronic still camera on the operated side comprising;

control data reception means for receiving the control data; and

photographing operation control means for performing a photographing operation in accordance with the control data received by said control data reception means;

each of said electronic still cameras on the operated or operating side comprising;

image data transmission means for transmitting image data obtained by said respective electronic still camera upon photoelectric conversion and photography to the other of said electronic still camera; and

a change-over means capable of selectively taking a first state or a second state, and wherein the electronic still camera is exclusively assigned to operate as said electronic still camera on the operating side while said change-over means takes said first state thereof and the electronic still camera is exclusively assigned to operate as said electronic still camera on the operated side while said change-over means takes said second state thereof.

28. A system according to claim 27, wherein said change-over means comprises:

a first change-over switch for switching between a master mode and a slave mode in a remote-controlling operation, and wherein the electronic still camera system operates as the electronic still camera on the operating side in said master mode, and operates as the electronic still camera on the operated side in said slave mode; and

a second change-over switch for switching between a first position for causing said remote-controlling operation and a second position for causing another operation of the electronic still camera in this system.

29. A system according to claim 27, wherein at least one of said plurality of electronic still cameras further comprises:

an I/O data bus of PCMCIA scheme for providing a data stream conduit from a card connector of the at least one of said plurality of electronic still cameras to a system controller for controlling overall electronic still camera system operation, or to another circuit in the at least one of said plurality of electronic still cameras for data processing or storing, said card connector being adaptable to an IC memory card for storing image data.

30. A system according to claim 27, wherein at least one of said plurality of electronic still cameras further comprises:

an I/O data bus of PCMCIA scheme for providing a data stream conduit from a card connector of the at least one of said plurality of electronic still cameras to a system controller for controlling overall electronic still camera system operation, or to another circuit in the at least one of said plurality of electronic still cameras for data processing or storing, said card connector being adaptable to an IC memory card for storing image data, or to another electronic circuit for supporting communication between the at least one of the plurality of electronic still cameras and another external device connected thereto.

31. A system according to claim 27, wherein at least one of said plurality of electronic still cameras further comprises:

an I/O data bus of PCMCIA scheme for providing a data stream conduit for inter-connecting at least two of a card connector of the at least one of said plurality of electronic still cameras, a built-in memory, a first data input/output section, and a second data input/output section.

32. A system according to claim 27, wherein at least one of said plurality of electronic still cameras further comprises:

an I/O data bus of PCMCIA scheme for providing a data stream conduit from a card connector of the at least one camera to a system controller for controlling overall camera system operation, or to another circuit in the at least one camera for data processing or storing, said card connector being adaptable to various cards for supporting communication between the at least one camera and any other external device connected thereto.

33. A system according to claim 32, wherein said card connector is adaptable for coupling to a card for supporting radio transmission/reception.

34. An electronic still camera system including a plurality of electronic still cameras capable of mutually exchanging information through communication means, the electronic still camera system comprising:

a first electronic still camera on an operating side having an operation switch, said first camera being selected from said plurality of electronic still cameras and initiating an exchange of information; and

at least a second electronic still camera of the plurality of electronic still cameras on an operated side, said at least second electronic still camera being selected from said plurality of electronic still cameras and exchanging information in response to an operation of said first electronic still camera;

wherein said first electronic still camera comprises;

control data generating means for generating control data based on which photographing operations are controlled in response to operations of predetermined operation switches; and

control data transmitting means for transmitting the control data generated by the control data generating means to said at least second electronic still camera, thus permitting said first electronic still camera to work as a camera corresponding to said at least second electronic still camera, when said first electronic still camera is set in a state capable of transmitting data to said at least second electronic still camera and where the at least second electronic still camera has a photographing operation switch similar to that of the first electronic still camera;

wherein each of sail first and second electronic still cameras comprises change-over means capable of selectively taking a first state or a second state, and wherein the electronic still camera is exclusively assigned to operate as said first electronic still camera while said change-over means takes said first state thereof, and the electronic still camera system is exclusively assigned to operate as said second electronic camera while said change-over means takes said second state thereof.

35. A system according to claim 34, wherein at least one of said first and at least second electronic still cameras includes a recording medium for recording image data photographed or transmitted.

36. A system according to claim 34, wherein said at least one of said first and at least second electronic still cameras comprise a data input/output section for the control data and the image data.

37. A system according to claim 34, wherein said first electronic still camera comprises recording means for recording image data transmitted from image data transmission means of said at least second electronic still camera when no recording medium is arranged in said at least second electronic still camera.

38. A system according to claim 34, wherein said first electronic still camera comprises recording means for recording image data transmitted from image data transmission means of said at least second electronic still camera when a recording medium in said at least second electronic still camera on the operated side undergoes a shortage of a remaining capacity.

39. A system according to claim 34, wherein said first electronic still camera comprises warning means for receiving warning information of a remaining battery amount of said at least second electronic still camera, and generating a warning in a form different from that of a warning of a remaining battery amount of said first electronic still camera.

40. A system according to claim 34, wherein said control data transmitting means of said electronic still camera on the operating side adds identification information of said at least second electronic still camera to the control data, and transmits the data to at least the second electronic still camera of the plurality of electronic still cameras on the operated side as a destination, and each of the plurality of electronic still cameras on the operated side comprises self-recognition means for recognizing the control data corresponding to said electronic still camera on the basis of the identification information.

41. A system according to claim 34, wherein said change-over means comprises:

a first change-over switch for switching between a master mode and a slave mode in a remote-controlling operation, and wherein the electronic still camera system operates as said first electronic still camera in said master mode, and operates as said second electronic still camera in said slave mode; and

a second change-over switch for switching between a first position for causing said remote-controlling operation and a second position for causing another operation of the electronic still camera system.

42. A system according to claim 34, wherein at least one of said plurality of electronic still cameras further comprises:

an I/O data bus of PCMCIA scheme for providing a data stream conduit from a card connector of the at least one of said plurality of electronic still cameras to a system controller for controlling overall electronic still camera system operation, or to another circuit in the at least one of said plurality of electronic still cameras for data processing or storing, said card connector being adaptable to an IC memory card for storing image data.

43. A system according to claim 34, wherein at least one of said plurality of electronic still cameras further comprises:

an I/O data bus of PCMCIA scheme for providing a data stream conduit from a card connector of the at least one of said plurality of electronic still cameras to a system controller for controlling overall electronic still camera system operation, or to another circuit in the at least one of said plurality of electronic still cameras for data processing or storing, said card connector being adaptable to an IC memory card for storing image data, or to another electronic circuit for supporting communication between the at least one of the plurality of electronic still cameras and another external device connected thereto.

44. A system according to claim 34, wherein at least one of said plurality of electronic still cameras further comprises:

an I/O data bus of PCMCIA scheme for providing a data stream conduit for inter-connecting at least two of a card connector of the at least one of said plurality of electronic still cameras, a built-in memory, a first data input/output section, and a second data input/output section.

45. A system according to claim 34, wherein at least one of said plurality of electronic still cameras further comprises:

an I/O data bus of PCMCIA scheme for providing a data stream conduit from a card connector of the at least one camera to a system controller for controlling overall camera system operation, or to another circuit in the at least one camera for data processing or storing, said card connector being adaptable to various cards for supporting communication between the at least one camera and any other external device connected thereto.

46. A system according to claim 45, wherein said card connector is adaptable for coupling to a card for supporting radio transmission/reception.

47. An electronic still camera system including a plurality of electronic still cameras capable of mutually exchanging information through communication means, comprising:

a first electronic still camera on an operating side having an operation switch and control data generating means, said first electronic still camera being selected from said plurality of electronic still cameras and initiating an exchange of information; and

at least a second electronic still camera on an operated side, said at least second camera being selected from said plurality of electronic still cameras and exchanging information in response to an operation of said first electronic still camera;

wherein said at least second electronic still camera comprises;

control data receiving means for receiving control data generated by the control data generating means of said first electronic still camera and used for controlling photographic operations, thus permitting said at least second electronic still camera to work as a camera corresponding to said first electronic still camera, when said at least second electronic still camera is set in a state capable of receiving data from said first electronic still camera and where said second electronic still camera has a photographing operation switch similar to that of said first electronic still camera; and

photographing operation controlling means for performing photographing operations determined by the control data received by said control data receiving means,

wherein each of said first-and second electronic still cameras comprises change-over means capable of selectively taking a first state or a second state, and wherein the electronic still camera is exclusively assigned to operate as said first electronic still camera while said change-over means takes said first state thereof, and the electronic still camera is exclusively assigned to operate as said second electronic still camera while said change-over means takes said second state thereof.

48. A system according to claim 47, wherein at least one of said first and at least second electronic still cameras includes a recording medium for recording image data to be photographed or transmitted.

49. A system according to claim 47, wherein each of said plurality of electronic still cameras comprises a data input/output section for the control data and the image data.

50. A system according to claim 47, wherein said at least second electronic still camera comprises check image data transmission means for, when a zooming operation is performed by said first electronic still camera, compressing image information to such an extent that an image having undergone the zooming operation can be checked, and transmitting the image information to said first electronic still camera.

51. A system according to claim 47, wherein said at least second electronic still camera comprises specific area selection means for selecting a specific area to be subjected to a focusing operation i said at least second electronic still camera in accordance with an operation of said first electronic still camera when a focusing operation is to be performed by said photographing operation control means of said second electronic still camera in accordance with the control data corresponding to a focusing operation in said first electronic still camera, and specific area information transmission means for compressing image information to such an extent that a focusing degree of the specific area can be checked, and transmitting the compressed information to said first electronic still camera.

52. A system according to claim 47, wherein said at least second electronic still camera comprises photographing operation preference means for preferentially performing a photographing operation with respect to a transmitting operation upon reception of control data indicating depression of a trigger switch from said first electronic still camera during transmission of image data to said first electronic still camera.

53. A system according to claim 47, wherein said first electronic still camera comprises warning means for receiving information of a remaining battery amount of said at least second electronic still camera, and generating a warning in a form different from that of a warning of a remaining battery amount of said first electronic still camera.

54. A system according to claim 47, wherein said control data generating means of said first electronic still camera adds identification information of said at least second electronic still camera to the control data, and transmits the data to each of the plurality of electronic still cameras on the operated side, each of said electronic still cameras on the operated side comprise self-recognition means for recognizing the control data corresponding to a respective electronic still camera on the operated side on the basis of the identification information.

55. A system according to claim 47, wherein said at least electronic still camera comprises drive control means for controlling a driving operation of an imaging visual field changing device on the basis of the control data received from said control data receiving means, said imaging visual field changing device being set to support said second electronic camera on the operated side.

56. A system according to claim 47, wherein said change-over means comprises:

a first change-over switch for switching between a master mode and a slave mode in a remote-controlling operation, and wherein the electronic still camera system operates as said first electronic still camera in said master mode, and operates as said second electronic still camera in said slave mode; and

a second change-over switch for switching between a first position for causing said remote-controlling operation and a second position for causing another operation of the electronic still camera system.

57. A system according to claim 47, wherein at least one of said plurality of electronic still cameras further comprises:

an I/O data bus of PCMCIA scheme for providing a data stream conduit from a card connector of the at least one of said plurality of electronic still cameras to a system controller for controlling overall electronic still camera system operation, or to another circuit in the at least one of said plurality of electronic still cameras for data processing or storing, said card connector being adaptable to an IC memory card for storing image data.

58. A system according to claim 47, wherein at least one of said plurality of electronic still cameras further comprises:

an I/O data bus of PCMCIA scheme for providing a data stream conduit from a card connector of the at least one of said plurality of electronic still cameras to a system controller for controlling overall electronic still camera system operation, or to another circuit in the at least one of said plurality of electronic still cameras for data processing or storing, said card connector being adaptable to an IC memory card for storing image data, or to another electronic circuit for supporting communication between the at least one of the plurality of electronic still cameras and another external device connected thereto.

59. A system according to claim 47, wherein at least one of said plurality of electronic still cameras further comprises:

an I/O data bus of PCMCIA scheme for providing a data stream conduit for inter-connecting at least two of a card connector of the at least one of said plurality of electronic still cameras, a built-in memory, a first data input/output section, and a second data input/output section.

60. A system according to claim 47, wherein at least one of said plurality of electronic still cameras further comprises:

an I/O data bus of PCMCIA scheme for providing a data stream conduit from a card connector of the at least one camera to a system controller for controlling overall camera system operation, or to another circuit in the at least one camera for data processing or storing, said card connector being adaptable to various cards for supporting communication between the at least one camera and any other external device connected thereto.

61. A system according to claim 60, wherein said card connector is adaptable for coupling to a card for supporting radio transmission/reception.