JP2003244506A - Digital camera - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a digital camera capable of arranging photographed images without complicated operations, etc. <P>SOLUTION: The digital camera comprises a photographing means 3 for photographing images, after receiving an indication inputted via releasing means 2, a display device 8 for displaying images, characters, etc., a schedule information input means 5 for inputting schedule information, a schedule type input means 6 for inputting a type of the schedule information, and a control means 7 for controlling image files to be made, based on image signals from the photographing means 3 when a camera is operated. The control means 7 further controls the schedule information to be displayed as a schedule table, and an icon for indicating the existence of images to be displayed at the position in the schedule table, corresponding to a making time of the image files when a PDA operation is active, and controls only the information with respect to the indication to be displayed, when the type of schedule is indicated. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2003,JPO

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to a digital camera,
More specifically, it relates to a digital camera having a schedule display function.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, various techniques have been proposed for allowing a digital camera to have an information processing function such as a PDA. For example, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 7-72546 discloses an image pickup means and an input of management data. Data relating to the photographed image based on the management data, including operation means for performing an operation, operation means for inputting management data, display means, storage means, and information processing means. A camera-integrated information processing device that extracts only the information has been proposed.

In the technique described in this publication, data close to the shooting date and time is automatically recorded from the schedule information already input for another purpose of schedule management. If you are acting, there is an advantage that the content of the action you are taking at the time of shooting is automatically stored, and it becomes easier to organize the images later.

[0004]

However, it is difficult for the user to input the data of all schedules by himself / herself, and it is practically difficult to act according to the schedule. In the technique described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 7-72546, when the schedule and the action do not match, data unrelated to the image is automatically stored, so that the image rearrangement can be performed later. It will be hard.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a digital camera capable of organizing captured images without performing troublesome operations.

[0006]

In order to achieve the above object, a digital camera according to a first aspect of the present invention provides a release means for inputting an instruction for image pickup, and an optical system for receiving an instruction input from the release means. An image file that includes, as information, image pickup means for converting a typical subject image into an electrical image signal and outputting the image signal, and image data based on the image signal output from the image pickup means and the time when the image file was created Image file creating means, display device for displaying images and characters, schedule information input means for inputting schedule information, and control for displaying information including the image data on the display device. Control means for controlling to display the schedule information input from the schedule information input means on the display device. The control means controls the schedule information to be displayed as a schedule table, and to display that an image exists at the position of the schedule table corresponding to the time based on the information of the time when the image file is created. It is possible.

In the digital camera according to the second aspect of the invention, in the digital camera according to the first aspect of the invention, a list of schedule types that can be designated as the types of schedule information is recorded in a schedule type file. The system further comprises a schedule type input means for designating one or more schedule types from among the schedule types recorded in the file,
The control means controls, when the schedule type is specified, to display only the schedule information related to the specified schedule type in the schedule information on the schedule table.

Further, the digital camera according to a third aspect of the present invention is the digital camera according to the second aspect, wherein image file search information includes at least the file name of the image file and the time when the image file was created. And the schedule type information to which the image file belongs are recorded in the image information file, and when the schedule type is specified, the control means, when the schedule type is specified, the schedule type information to which the image file belongs from the image information file. Only when the schedule type that matches the specified schedule type is recorded, the time information when the image file was created is acquired from the above image information file, and the acquired time information is supported. Display that an image exists at the position on the schedule table It is intended to control.

[0009]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. 1 to 16 show one embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a conceptual configuration of a digital camera.

The digital camera 1 has both a function as a digital camera for taking an image and a function as a PDA that can be used like a schedule book, and associates the taken image with the schedule book. This makes it possible to use it as a so-called photo diary.

Specifically, the digital camera 1, as shown in FIG. 1, captures a subject image in response to an operation of the release means 2 for inputting an instruction of an image capturing operation and an image file. Input for inputting image pickup means 3 for generating image data necessary for creating, and type data (a schedule type indicating the type of the image file, etc.) stored in the image information file for recording the information relating to the image file. Means 4; schedule information input means 5 for inputting schedule information stored in a schedule information file; and schedule type data for displaying a schedule from a schedule type file storing a list of specifiable schedule types Schedule type input means 6 for specifying and specifying images, schedule table, etc. A display device 8 for displaying, an image file created based on the image data input from the imaging means 3, an image information file created based on the type data input from the input means 4, and the schedule information input An image or a schedule table is displayed on the display device 8 based on the schedule information created based on the schedule information input from the means 5, the schedule type file created based on the schedule type data input from the schedule type input means 6, and the like. And a control means 7 for integrally controlling each section in the digital camera 1 including the above-mentioned means.
And are configured.

In such a structure, the release means 2
When is operated and an image is captured by the image capturing means 3, the captured image is displayed on the display device 8. Along with the display of this image, a screen display for selecting the corresponding schedule type of the image file and a screen display for inputting schedule information are displayed, and it is possible to easily input information in relation to the image. You can do it.

When the digital camera 1 is used as a PDA, if a schedule type is specified and the schedule book software is started and updated, a schedule table corresponding to the specified schedule type is displayed, as will be described in detail later. The creation date of the image file is acquired from the image information file that is displayed on the device 8 and includes the information of the specified schedule type, and the fact that the image exists at the corresponding position in the schedule table is displayed by an icon or the like. It has become.

As will be described later in detail with reference to FIG. 6, the image information file contains schedule type information to which the image file belongs and image file search information. The file name of the file is substantially included in the file name of the image file and the date of creation, and is used as the image file search information.

That is, the file name of the image file is, for example, "**. Jpg" (the specific file name is entered in the ** part), and this image file was created on October 25, 2001. , The file name of the image information file is, for example, “** _ jpg_200
1-10-25. xml ”and the like.

Next, FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the appearance of the digital camera 1 from the lens side, and FIG.
It is a perspective view showing the appearance when used as A (Personal Digital (Data) Assistants). Note that in FIG. 3, the lens side is oriented downward.

In this digital camera 1, a lens barrel 22 having a zoom optical system is built in on the front side of a main body 21, and a barrier 23 is opened in the lens barrel 22. With the main body 21,
It is designed to be driven up to the wide-angle end where shooting is possible.
When the barrier 23 is opened / closed, a barrier switch (not shown) is turned on / off accordingly, that is, by opening the barrier 23, the digital camera 1 operates as a camera.

Further, on the upper surface of the digital camera 1, a release switch 24 for instructing and inputting a photographing operation and a power supply for making the digital camera 1 function as a PDA with the barrier 23 closed are turned on. Do P
A DA power switch 25 is provided.

Further, the main body 21 of the digital camera 1
A finder 26 for confirming a subject at the time of shooting, a zoom switch 27 for changing the focal length of the lens, and a brightness setting volume 31 for adjusting the brightness of a sheet light source 33 described later are provided on the back side of the. And each member used when the digital camera 1 operates as a PDA as described later, that is, the image reversing switch 29.
An image display mode switch 30 and a magnet 28 are provided.

The digital camera 1 is provided with a display section 89 which can be opened and closed by a hinge 32a on the back side of the main body 21. The display unit 89 is formed in a thin plate shape having a size that exposes the viewfinder 26 and the zoom switch 27 when the display unit 89 is in the closed position substantially along the back surface of the main body 21, and is transparent for displaying an image. LCD 35 in the form of a mold, a sheet-shaped light source 33 for illuminating the LCD 35 with illumination light from the back side, and a diffusion plate 34 for uniformly diffusing the light emitted from the sheet-shaped light source 33 to the LCD 35. And are stacked and held in a rectangular frame-shaped support frame 32.

The display unit 89 constitutes an image display member 86 (see FIG. 4) described later by the LCD 35, the diffusion plate 34, and the sheet-shaped light source 33, and further has a touch panel 88 (see FIG. 4). Has become
Information can be input through the touch panel 88.

Although the diffuser plate 34 and the sheet-shaped light source 33 are used in the above description, instead of these, for example, organic E
An L sheet or the like may be used.

As described above, since the support frame 32 having the rectangular frame shape is used, the image display member 86 is used.
By adopting a translucent member as each member constituting the touch panel 88, it becomes possible to use external light from the back side as a light source. As a result, when the outside light is bright, the brightness setting volume 31 is operated to make the brightness low (Low) or off (OFF).
By doing so, it becomes possible to observe the image clearly while suppressing the battery consumption.

A magnet 36 is fitted in, for example, the upper left corner of the support frame 32, and when the display portion 89 is closed, the magnet 2 disposed on the back side of the main body 21 is inserted.
It is configured so that it can be easily opened when a rotating force is applied by a hand or the like while preventing the display section 89 from being opened carelessly by adhering to each other.

A memory card 39, which is a recording medium for storing photographed image data, can be detachably attached to the digital camera 1.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing mainly the electrical configuration of the digital camera 1.

This digital camera 1 has a zoom lens 4
4, a shutter 45, a diaphragm 46, and an AF lens 47, the lens barrel 22, a zoom lens control unit 48 for controlling and moving the zoom lens 44, and a shutter control for controlling and driving the shutter 45. Means 49
And a diaphragm control means 50 for controlling and driving the diaphragm 46.
An LD motor 54, which serves as a drive source for moving the AF lens 47, a focus motor drive circuit 52 for controlling and driving the LD motor 54, and the AF lens 47.
Focus lens control means 51 including a focus lens position detection circuit 53 for detecting the lens position of
Phase difference AF is performed based on an output from a sensor unit 55 including lenses 56R and 56L that form a plurality of images and a sensor 57 that converts the plurality of images formed by the lenses 56R and 56L into electrical signals. Phase difference AF means 58
And a strobe light emitting section 5 for illuminating the subject with illumination light.
9, a strobe main capacitor 60 for supplying light emission power to the strobe light emitting section 59, and charging of the strobe main capacitor 60 and discharging of the strobe light emitting section 59 by the sub CPU 42 and the phase difference AF means 58 which will be described later. Strobe charge light emission control means 61 for controlling light emission by controlling the zoom lens control means 4 and the zoom lens control means 4
8, a shutter control means 49, an aperture control means 50, a focus lens control means 51, a phase difference AF means 58, a strobe charging light emission control means 61, and a sub CPU 42 for controlling these while acquiring information and the like as necessary, and the above. An image pickup device 65 that is an image pickup device that photoelectrically converts a subject image formed by the zoom lens 44 and the AF lens 47 and outputs an image signal, and an image pickup region designation device 66 that designates an image pickup region of the image pickup device 65. An A / D circuit 67 for converting an analog image signal output from the image pickup device 65 into digital image data, and a signal level for adjusting the gain of the image pickup device 65 based on the output of the A / D circuit 67. Control means 68, memory 71 for storing image data output from the A / D circuit 67, and memory 71 The image processing circuit 72 for processing the processed image data, the image compression means 73 for compressing the image data processed by the image processing circuit 72, and the image data compressed by the image compression means 73 for the memory card 39. To be recorded on the memory card 39
Memory I / F74 that doubles as mounting means for mounting
The memory card 39 for storing image data under the control of the memory I / F 74, and the memory 71.
A brightness detection unit 76 that reads out the image data stored in the unit to detect the brightness of the subject, and detects a flicker based on the brightness detected by the brightness detection unit 76 to detect a timing that is not affected by the flicker. The flicker timing detection means 77, the timing generation circuit 69 that causes the image pickup device 65 to perform image pickup and the A / D circuit 67 to perform digitization according to the timing detected by the flicker timing detection means 77, and the memory 71. A contrast evaluation value calculation unit 78 that reads out the image data and calculates a contrast evaluation value (for example, a contrast amount), and a contrast evaluation value differentiating unit 79 that calculates a differentiation of the contrast evaluation value based on the output of the contrast evaluation value calculation unit 78. And this contrast evaluation A focus position expected unit 80 to predict the in-focus position based on the output of the differentiating means 79, based on an output of the contrast evaluation value calculating means 78 for example hill-climbing AF
Focus detection means 81 for performing focus detection by performing
An image display control means 85 for controlling the above-mentioned image display member 86 for displaying the image data output via the image compression means 73, and an image or a character displayed under the control of this image display control means 85. A display unit 8 including an image display member 86 and a touch panel 88 arranged along the display surface of the image display member 86 and serving as schedule information input means and also as schedule type input means.
9, a touch panel input unit 87 that is a schedule information input unit that generates and outputs an input signal based on the output from the touch panel 88, and also functions as a schedule type input unit. A barrier switch for turning on / off the power of the camera 1, the release switch 24, the zoom switch 27, the PDA power switch 25, an operation unit 91 including a mode switch, and a USB as a connection unit.
(Universal Serial Bus) terminal 92, USB control means 93 for controlling the USB terminal 92, and a circuit for wirelessly connecting to a LAN, which is a connecting means I.
EEE802. b circuit 94 and this IEEE802. b
IEEE 802. for controlling the circuit 94. b control means 95, a Bluetooth circuit 96 which is a connection means for wirelessly connecting devices, and the Bl.
Bluetooth for controlling the Bluetooth circuit 96
The processing program for operating the oth control means 97 and the main CPU 41, which will be described later, and this digital camera 1.
EEPROM 98 for storing various data relating to the above, a battery 99 for supplying electric power to the digital camera 1, a circuit for communicating with the sub CPU 42 to control each circuit connected to the sub CPU 42, and to be connected to itself. And a main CPU 41 which is a control unit for controlling the entire digital camera 1 including each circuit and also serves as an image file creating unit.

An image pickup circuit 64 is constituted by the image pickup device 65, the image pickup area designating means 66, the A / D circuit 67, the signal level control means 68, the timing generating circuit 69 and the like.

The memory card 39 is removable from the digital camera 1, and the battery 99 is also removable, for example.

Further, the USB terminal 9 as a connecting means.
2, IEEE802. b circuit 94, Bluetooth
By using any of the circuits 96, it is possible to connect to a network such as the Internet. As a result, it is possible to store image files and various information files on the network, and to access these stored files as needed.

2 to 4, the release switch 24 and the operating means 91 are input to the release means 2, the image pickup circuit 64 is input to the image pickup means 3, and the touch panel 88 is input to the configuration of FIG. 1 described above. The main CPU 41 corresponds to the control unit 7, and the image display member 86 corresponds to the display device 8, respectively, to the unit 4, the schedule information input unit 5, and the schedule type input unit 6.

The structure of the file used for the schedule will be described with reference to FIGS.

First, FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of the file format of an image file.

As the image file, there are various file formats such as a JPG file, a GIF file and a TIFF file as shown in the figure.

Next, FIG. 6 is a diagram showing the structure of the image information file.

The file name of the image file is configured to also serve as the image file search information as described above.

That is, in the case where the file name of the image file is "abc.jpg" as shown in FIG. 5A, for example, and it was created at 9:02 on January 1, 2001. Indicates the file name of the image information file, for example, "abc_jpg_12001_1_1_9_02.x.
ml ”and so on. This makes it possible to search for the file name and creation date of the image file simply by looking at the file name of the image information file.

As the means for retrieving the image file, other means can be adopted. However, as exemplified here, the file name and the creation date of the image file are concatenated as the file name. It is simple and effective in terms of practicality.

In this image information file, the type of the schedule relating to the image information (for example, family, friends, oneself, etc.), the encryption information relating to the personal identification number for accessing the image file, the image file, etc. The date and time when the was created (in this example, 9:02 on January 1, 2001)
And latitude and longitude information indicating the location where the image was captured, comment information input by the user regarding the image file,
Color profile information relating to the image file is recorded. Here, the schedule type is shown in FIG.
As shown in the example of (1), a plurality of images can be designated for one image.

The image information file employs xml (eXtensible Markup Language) as a file format, but of course the invention is not limited to this, and various file formats can be used.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing the structure of the schedule type file.

This schedule type file is given a file name indicating the schedule type, and is described as "Schedule_kind.xml" in the illustrated example.

In the schedule type file, selectable schedule types (family, friends, oneself, work, etc.) are recorded.

When the schedule type recorded in this schedule type file is selected and the schedule table is displayed, only the schedules and images relating to the selected schedule type can be displayed.

For example, if the schedule table is displayed after the type of schedule is set to "friend", only the schedules and images related to the friends are displayed in the schedule table so that they can be displayed. Therefore, it is convenient when showing the image to a friend. Furthermore, when shooting is performed with the schedule type set to "friend," the type of image shot is automatically set to "friend." In this way, it is possible to display immediately after photographing.

This schedule type file is also
Similarly, the file format is not limited to the xml file format.

Further, FIG. 8 is a diagram showing the structure of the schedule information file.

The file name is "Schedule.xm
In the schedule information file of "l", the information is classified and recorded for each event, and an item regarding a new event is added each time the event occurs.

In each event, there are a schedule type which is an attribute of the event, a date and time when the event occurs, a comment input by the user regarding the event, and a file name related to the event. It is recorded.

The schedule book software creates the schedule book based on the information described in the schedule information file.

This schedule information file is also
Similarly, the file format is not limited to the xml file format.

Next, FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of the monthly schedule display.

The schedule book software can display an annual schedule, a monthly schedule, a weekly schedule, and a daily schedule. When the monthly schedule is selected, the display as shown in FIG. 9 is displayed. It is supposed to be done.

The monthly schedule display is, for example, a monthly calendar that is displayed in one column every week. In the column of the corresponding date, the event (“project 1 meeting” in the illustrated example) and the corresponding date are displayed. An icon indicating that a captured image exists is displayed. further,
For example, the year and the month of the displayed monthly schedule are displayed in the upper left, for example.

The icon indicating that the image exists is color-coded according to the schedule type, that is, "family", "friends", "work", "self" in the above example.

Here, an example in which the icons are color-coded for each schedule type is shown, but the shape, pattern, etc. of the icons may be different for each schedule type, and other schedule types can be specified. Any means can be applied. Further, the display indicating that the image exists is not limited to the icon display, but may be displayed by a comment or the like.

Further, in this monthly schedule display, the underlined numeral part showing the date is a link to the daily schedule of that date, and if this date part is specified by tapping on the touch panel 88, The daily schedule shown in FIG. 10 is set.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of the daily schedule display.

FIG. 10 shows an example of tapping the date portion of November 4, 2001, for example, in the monthly schedule shown in FIG.

The schedule of the day is displayed by dividing it by time, from 13:00 to 14:00.
It is shown that there is a project 1 meeting between the two, and there are images related to family, friends, work, and oneself at the same time zone. However, as described above with reference to FIG. 6, since it is possible to specify a plurality of schedule types for one image, even if there are icons indicating four schedule types, four images are displayed. It does not indicate that (or more) images are present. That is, it only indicates that there is at least one image having the attribute of the displayed schedule type, and images of different schedule types may overlap each other.

Next, FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a state in which an image is displayed on the display unit 89.

The image shown in FIG. 11 is displayed when the icon indicating that the image is present is tapped on the schedule display screen shown in FIG. 9 or 10.
Alternatively, it is displayed immediately after shooting.

As shown in the figure, an image is displayed, and a button for shifting to a comment input screen and a button for shifting to schedule display are operably displayed at the lower right of the screen, for example. Has been done. That is, by operating the touch panel 88 and tapping any one of these buttons, it is possible to shift to a display or processing corresponding to the button.

FIG. 12 is a diagram showing an example of a screen when the "comment input" button is tapped on the screen shown in FIG.

On this screen, the image is slightly reduced and displayed on the upper side, and a column for checking a specifiable schedule type and a column for inputting a comment for the displayed image are provided. There is.

The schedule type can be toggled by tapping the corresponding check box to toggle whether a check mark is added or removed.

The comment field is input by displaying a software keyboard (not shown) or by displaying handwritten character recognition software (not shown).

13 and 14 show the digital camera 1
6 is a flowchart showing the main operation of FIG.

As described above, this digital camera 1
Is configured to function as a camera when the barrier 23 is open, and to function as a PDA when the PDA power switch 25 is turned on when the barrier 23 is closed. The flow of is explained.

That is, when this operation is started, it is first determined whether or not the barrier 23 is opened (step S1).

Here, if the barrier 23 is closed, it is judged whether or not the lens barrel 22 is collapsed (step S2). If not, the lens barrel 22 is zoomed. A process for driving the lens barrel to retract it to the stored state is performed (step S3), and the display of the LCD 35 is turned off (step S4).

Then, is this step S4 completed?
If the lens barrel 22 is retracted in step S2, it is determined whether or not the PDA power switch 25 is on (step S5), and if it is off, the operation of the digital camera 1 is determined. Stop.

When the PDA power switch 25 is turned on, a PDA process which will be described in detail later is performed (step S6) to determine whether the barrier 23 has changed from closed to open (step S6). S7) If it has not changed, the process returns to step S5 to repeat the above-described processing, and if it has changed, the process proceeds to S1.

In step S1, if the barrier 23 is open, the zoom is widened to enable photographing (step S8), and the 4-minute timer is started (step S9). It is determined whether there is a wait (step S10).

Here, if the barrier 23 is closed, the process proceeds to step S3, while if the barrier 23 remains open, it is determined whether the touch panel 88 has been operated (step S11). ).

If the touch panel 88 is not operated, it is determined whether the comment input mode is set (step S12). If the comment input mode is set, the comment input mode is cleared. Then, the information file is stored (step S13) (step S14).

In step S11, if the touch panel 88 is operated, if the comment input mode is not entered in step S12, or if step S14 ends, it is determined whether or not the release switch 24 has been operated. (Step S15).

Here, when the release switch 24 is operated, a predetermined image pickup process is performed (step S1).
6). In this image capturing process, after processing the image captured by the image sensor 65 to perform compression and the like, a process of storing the image file in the memory card 39 and a process of displaying the captured image on the display unit 89 are performed. To do.

After that, an image information file relating to the picked-up image is created and saved (step S17), and the comment input mode is set (step S18). In this way, create an image file and image information file for each shooting,
Comments can be added to the image information file by setting the comment input mode.

Then, the 4-minute timer is started (step S19), and the 10-second timer for image display is restarted (step S20).

In step S15, if the release switch 24 is not operated, then
Zoom up (ZU) switch or zoom down (ZU)
D) It is judged whether or not the switch is operated (step S
21) If any of them is operated, zoom control is performed according to the operation (step S22), and the process goes to step S19.

If neither the zoom up switch nor the zoom down switch has been operated, it is next determined whether or not the mode switch has been operated (step S2).
3) If it is operated, the mode is changed according to the operation (step S24), and the above step S19 is performed.
Go to

If the mode switch is not operated, it is then determined whether or not the image display switch is operated (step S25). If it is operated, the image is displayed. (Step S26), go to step S19.

If the image display switch has not been operated, it is next determined whether or not the image up / down switch has been operated (step S27). Then, the photographed image one before or one after is displayed (step S28), and the process goes to step S19.

On the other hand, if the image up / down switch is not operated, it is judged whether or not the comment input mode is set (step S29). If the comment input mode is set, enter key input of the software keyboard or the like is performed. It is determined whether there is any (step S30).

If there is an enter key input, the comment input mode is cleared (step S3
1), after saving the information file (step S3
2) Go to step S19 above.

If there is no enter key input in step S30, it is judged whether or not a comment is input in the comment field as shown in FIG. 12 (step S33). After performing a predetermined comment input process such as recording the input comment in the image information file (step S34),
Go to step S19 above.

If the comment input mode is not set in step S29, the comment is not input in step S33, or the step S20 ends, the image display time is set to 1
It is determined whether 0 second has elapsed (step S35).

Here, when 10 seconds have elapsed,
Image display is turned off (step S36), and 1 for image display is displayed.
After stopping the 0 second timer (step S37),
When the image display time of 10 seconds has not elapsed, it is determined whether or not 4 minutes have elapsed (step S3).
8).

Here, if it is less than 4 minutes, go to the step S10, while if 4 minutes have elapsed, clear the comment input mode (step S3).
9) Save the information file (step S40).

Then, a process for widening the zoom is performed (step S41), the display of the display unit 89 is turned off (step S42), and the operation of the digital camera 1 is stopped. To stop the operation here, the clock (original oscillation) is also stopped so that the current consumption becomes almost zero.
Further, from this stopped state, the barrier 23 is restored when the barrier 23 is operated or the battery 99 is detached.

15 and 16 mainly show the main C.
It is a flow chart which shows PDA processing performed by PU41.

In step S6 of FIG. 13, the PDA processing subroutine is called and executed.

When this process is started, first, the PDA initial screen is displayed (step S51), and the personal identification number input process is performed (step S52).

Next, this digital camera 1 is used as a PDA.
It is determined whether the schedule book among the various functions provided for is selected (step S53), and when it is selected, the schedule state at the time of the last use is an annual schedule, a monthly schedule, a weekly schedule, It is determined which of the daily schedules was used (step S
54).

If it is the annual schedule (step S55), if it is the monthly schedule, the monthly schedule (step S56). If it is the weekly schedule, the weekly schedule (step S55). S57), if it is the daily schedule, set the daily schedule (step S58),
Display each.

Next, it is judged whether or not the reference directory is on the network (including the Internet) (step S59), and if it is on the network, the network is accessed (step S60). As described above, the directory in which various information files are stored is not limited to being on the local disk, but may be on the network.

When the reference directory is not on the network in step S59 or when step S60 is completed, the schedule type when the schedule book is used last time is set to GROUP_S (step S61), and this GROUP_S is 0. It is determined whether there is any (step S62).

Here, if GROUP_S is not 0, a catalog file for storing data in which the image creation date and the schedule type in the image information file are paired is created (step S63).

Then, the image information file in the designated directory is read (step S64), and the schedule type in the read image information file is set to GROUP_J.
(Step S65), GROUP_S and GRO
It is determined whether UP_J is equal (step S6).
6).

Here, if they are equal, data in which the creation date and the schedule type in the image information file are paired are added to the inventory file in order of the creation date of the image (step S67).

When this step S67 ends, or in the above step S66, GROUP_S and GRO
If it is determined that UP_J is not equal, it is determined whether all the image information files have been checked (step S68). If the check has not been completed for all the image information files, the above steps are performed. The process proceeds to S64 and the above-described processing is repeated.

On the other hand, in step S62, GR
If OUP_S is 0, it is assumed that the schedule type is not specified, and a catalog file that stores data that pairs the image creation date and the schedule type in the image information file is created (step S69), and the RAM, An image in a memory card, the Internet, a network, or the like is searched, and the file name and the creation date of the image file in the designated directory are read (step S70).

Then, the image information file name is predicted from the read image file name and creation date (step S7).
1) It is determined whether or not there is an image information file (step S72).

If there is no image information file, the data of the creation date is added to the inventory file in the order of the creation date of the image (step S73). After the data in which the creation date and the schedule type in the image information file are paired is added to the inventory file in the order of creation date of (step S74),
It is determined whether all the image information files have been checked (step S75).

If all the image information files have not been checked, the process goes to step S70 to repeat the above-mentioned processing.

This step S75 or the above step S
When all the image information files have been checked at 68, an icon indicating the type of schedule is displayed in the column of the schedule book of the image creation date of the inventory file (step S76).

Then, it is judged whether or not all the information of the catalog file is checked (step S77), and until all the checks are completed, the process returns to the step S76 and the above-mentioned processing is repeated.

When all the information in the catalog file is checked, it is determined whether the image icon in the schedule has been clicked (step S78).

If the icon is clicked, the corresponding image file is searched from the time and the inventory file in the display field including the icon (step S7).
9) Display the image of the searched file (step S
80) Wait for 1 second to elapse (step S8)
1).

Then, it is judged whether or not any switch input has been made (step S82).
It is determined whether all the images in the display field have been displayed (step S83), and if all the images have not been displayed yet, the process proceeds to step S79. Such step S7
A so-called slide show is performed by sequentially performing the processing from 9 to step S83 for all images.

If the icon is not clicked in step S78, or if the switch input is not performed in step S82, step S8 is performed.
In step 3, when all the images in the display field have been displayed, it is determined whether or not to add a comment (step S84), and if so, a comment is added to the image information file ( Step S85).

If step S85 ends or it is determined in step S84 that no comment has been added, it is determined whether the schedule type has changed (step S86). Has
After substituting the new schedule type into GROUP (step S87), the process goes to step S62.

If the schedule type is not changed, it is judged whether the schedule state is changed to an annual schedule, a monthly schedule, a weekly schedule or a daily schedule (step S88). After changing the schedule state data in the schedule information (step S89), the above step S
Go to 54.

On the other hand, if the schedule book is not selected in step S53, PDA processing other than the schedule book is performed (step S90).

PDA other than this schedule book
When the process is completed, or when the schedule state is not changed in step S88, it is determined whether or not there is an operation for a predetermined time (step S91), and if there is an operation, the process goes to step S53. If you perform the above operation, and if there is no operation for a predetermined time,
The operation of this PDA process is terminated by stopping all the processes (step S92) and stopping the CPU.

According to such an embodiment, it is possible to easily realize a photo diary based on the schedule book software, and it is possible to organize the picked-up images without troublesome operations.

When displaying an image after shooting,
When an icon indicating the existence of an image is tapped in the schedule table, a link for moving to the comment input screen is displayed together with the image, so that the schedule type can be easily changed and a comment can be entered.

Then, an icon indicating that an image exists is displayed at a position such as the corresponding date in the schedule table, and the icons are color-coded according to the schedule type, so that they are easy to see and easy to operate. Is good. At this time, the schedule to be displayed and the icon indicating that the image exists can be easily narrowed down by designating the schedule type.

Furthermore, since it is possible to access image files and the like on the network, it is possible to easily manage a huge number of images.

The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and it goes without saying that various modifications and applications are possible without departing from the spirit of the invention.

[Additional Notes] According to the above-described embodiment of the present invention as described in detail above, the following configuration can be obtained.

(1) Release means for inputting an image pickup instruction, image pickup means for receiving an instruction input from the release means, converting an optical object image into an electrical image signal and outputting the image signal, and this image pickup Image data based on the image signal output from the means, the time when the image file was created,
Image file creating means for creating an image file containing information as information, and a display device for displaying images and characters,
Schedule information input means for inputting schedule information, and control to display the information including the image data on the display device, and display the schedule information input from the schedule information input means on the display device. And a control means for controlling so as to display the schedule information as a schedule table, and based on the information of the time when the image file was created, a schedule table corresponding to the time is displayed. A digital camera characterized by being controllable so as to display that an image exists at a position.

(2) A list of schedule types that can be designated as the types of schedule information is recorded in the schedule type file, and one or more schedule types are designated from among the schedule types recorded in this schedule type file. When the schedule type is designated, the control means displays only the schedule information related to the designated schedule type in the schedule information in the schedule table. The digital camera described in appendix (1), which is controlled by

(3) At least image file search information including the file name of the image file and the time when the image file was created as information, and schedule type information to which the image file belongs are recorded in the image information file. When the schedule type is designated, the control means acquires the schedule type information to which the image file belongs from this image information file and records the schedule type that matches the designated schedule type. In addition, only when the image information file is created, information on the time when the image file was created is acquired, and a message indicating that the image exists is displayed at the position of the schedule table corresponding to the acquired time. The digital camera described in appendix (2), which is controlled.

(4) Note that the image information file is given a file name that substantially includes the file name of the image file and the time when the image file was created ( The digital camera described in 3).

(5) The control means causes the display device to display the imaged image after the image pickup by the image pickup means in response to an instruction input from the release means, and an image file relating to the image. Note that the control is performed so that a display for selecting or inputting the schedule type is displayed.
Digital camera described in.

(6) The control means causes the display indicating that the image exists to be displayed by at least one of the icon and the comment, and displays the color of at least one of the icon and the comment for each schedule type. The digital camera according to appendix (3), wherein the digital camera is controlled so that at least one of the shape and the pattern is different.

(7) The control means controls the image file and the image information file to be recorded on a recording medium applied to the digital camera, and the image information file and the image recorded on the recording medium. An additional item (3) is characterized in that control is performed so as to display that an image exists at the position of the schedule table corresponding to the time when the image file is created, based on the file. Digital camera.

(8) The recording medium is configured to be attachable / detachable to / from the digital camera, and the recording medium further comprises mounting means for mounting the recording medium. Digital camera.

(9) It further comprises a connecting means for connecting to the network, and the control means controls the image file and the image information file to be recorded at a place on the network connected by the connecting means. At the same time, based on the image information file and the image file recorded in this network location, at the position of the schedule table corresponding to the time when the image file was created,
The digital camera as described in appendix (3), wherein the digital camera is controlled to display that an image exists.

(10) The digital camera described in appendix (9), wherein the network includes the Internet.

(Remark) Note that the time when the image file is created includes a temporal concept such as year, month, day, hour, minute, and second.

[0134]

As described above, according to the digital camera of the present invention, it is possible to organize the picked-up images without troublesome operations.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a conceptual configuration of a digital camera according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the outer appearance of the digital camera in the above embodiment from the lens side.

FIG. 3 illustrates the digital camera in the above embodiment as a PDA.
FIG.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram mainly showing an electrical configuration of the digital camera of the above embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of a file format of an image file in the above embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a configuration of an image information file in the above embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a configuration of a schedule type file in the above embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a configuration of a schedule information file in the above embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of monthly schedule display in the embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of daily schedule display in the embodiment.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing how an image is displayed on a display unit in the above embodiment.

[FIG. 12] “Enter comment” on the screen of FIG. 11
The figure which shows the example of a screen when the button of is tapped.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing a part of a main operation of the digital camera of the above embodiment.

FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing another part of the main operation of the digital camera in the above embodiment.

FIG. 15 is a main CP in the above embodiment.
The flowchart which shows a part of PDA process performed by U.

FIG. 16 is mainly a main CP in the above embodiment.
The flowchart which shows another part of the PDA process performed by U.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Digital camera 2 ... Release means 3 ... Imaging means 4 ... Input means 5 ... Schedule information input means 6 ... Schedule type input means 7 ... Control means 8 ... Display device 39 ... Memory card (recording medium) 41 ... Main CPU (control) Means, image file creating means) 42 ... Sub CPU 65 ... Imaging element (imaging means) 74 ... Memory I / F (mounting means) 85 ... Image display control means 86 ... Image display member (display device) 87 ... Touch panel input means ( Schedule information input means, schedule type input means 88 ... Touch panel (schedule information input means, schedule type input means) 89 ... Display 91 ... Operating means 92 ... USB terminal (connecting means) 94 ... IEEE802. b circuit (connecting means) 96 ... Bluetooth circuit (connecting means)

Continued front page    (72) Inventor Sayuri Watanabe             2-43 Hatagaya, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo Ori             Inside Npus Optical Industry Co., Ltd. F term (reference) 5C022 AA13 AC03 AC31 AC52 AC69                 5C052 GA02 GC05 GE06 GE08

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A release means for inputting an instruction for image pickup, an image pickup means for receiving an instruction input from the release means, converting an optical object image into an electric image signal and outputting the electric image signal, and the image pickup means. Image file based on the image signal output from the image signal, an image file creating means for creating an image file including the time when the image file was created, information, a display device for displaying images and characters, schedule information And a schedule information inputting means for inputting the information, and controlling to display the information including the image data on the display device, and to display the schedule information input from the schedule information inputting device on the display device. Control means for controlling the schedule information, and the control means displays the schedule information as a schedule table. Causes, digital camera, characterized in that it is capable of controlling so as to display the effect that image exists in the position of the schedule table corresponding to said time based on the information of the time at which the image file was created. 2. A list of schedule types that can be specified as the types of the schedule information is recorded in a schedule type file, and one or more schedule types are specified from among the schedule types recorded in this schedule type file. When the schedule type is designated, the control means displays only the schedule information related to the designated schedule type in the schedule information on the schedule table. The digital camera according to claim 1, wherein the digital camera is controlled. 3. An image information file records at least image file search information including, as information, a file name of the image file and a time when the image file was created, and schedule type information to which the image file belongs. When the schedule type is designated, the control means acquires the schedule type information to which the image file belongs from this image information file, and records the schedule type that matches the designated schedule type. Only when the image information file is created, control is performed to obtain information about the time when the image file was created and display that the image exists at the position of the schedule table corresponding to the acquired time. The digital camera according to claim 2, wherein the digital camera is a digital camera.