JP2005223814A - Photographic device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a photographic device, of which own camera communicates with a camera used by an unspecified and unknown user happened to be in the neighborhood at a photographing site, and the cameras automatically exchange later personal information mutually accessible by the users. <P>SOLUTION: The photographing device comprises a photographing means of photographing and recording, a user information management storage means for inputting and managing the user information, a wireless communication means for an unspecified subject, and a means of recording information to be transmitted in relation to a photographed image. The user information or a photographing information is automatically communicated with an unspecified subject in the neighborhood, in response to camera-photographing operation. The user information includes an E-mail address and a web site address (URL), and the photographing information to be transmitted includes date/time, location, a photographing operating mode, and photographic parameters etc. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention provides an environment in which a photographing apparatus used by a plurality of photographers automatically exchange information with each other in a scene photographed using a digital camera or a digital video camera, and thereafter easily exchange image data with others. The present invention relates to a camera function to be provided to the user.

  In particular, the present invention relates to a camera function (photographing device function) that can be easily contacted at a later date without requiring human interaction around the photographing site even among unspecified photographers who are not acquainted.

  In recent years, the spread of digital cameras and digital video cameras has been remarkable, and there are devices that record captured image information as digital data files on memory cards or optical disks, which are randomly accessible recording media in the camera. It has become popular. Unlike conventional silver halide film photography devices, images taken with such devices can be easily exchanged in the form of image data files via communication media and network media. For example, a service has already been used in which image data taken with a digital camera is sent from a home to a print service company via the Internet and received at a shop in the form of a printed photograph.

  In addition, a so-called Internet image server service using an image server on the Internet for the purpose of browsing and exchanging images between members by camera manufacturers, Internet providers, and the like has also become common.

  As described above, the infrastructure for exchanging image information as well as e-mails via the Internet is becoming more comfortable for even moving images due to the rapid spread of broadband.

  By using this kind of infrastructure, it is easy to receive and upload images taken by other photographers who were shooting at the shooting site in addition to their own images. It is possible to exchange images relatively easily between predetermined members.

On the other hand, acquaintance members use their own cameras to shoot the same subject in a coordinated manner, so that multi-camera shooting can be performed with multiple cameras, and editing this allows you to create advanced shooting works similar to broadcast stations. Although it is often realized, the exchange of information between photographers is generally carried out using a mobile phone.
JP 2003-316703 A

  However, at the shooting site, each photographer often has a very local and private consciousness and environment, and acquaintances with each other in advance agree to have individual cameras to shoot and exchange or edit images later. Such cases are extremely rare. It can be said that it is extremely difficult to find a partner (another photographer) who can realize a desired image exchange at the shooting site because of the first meeting, because human exchange is required in advance. In addition, as a countermeasure when a shooting mistake etc. is found after returning home, there is a problem that even if it is necessary to contact other people who are present at the shooting site in order to get images from other photographers, it cannot be dealt with later is there.

  In addition, when using a system that allows members to view and exchange each other's captured images on the Internet using an image server, local events with limited dates and places due to personal involvement unlike national events, such as It is extremely difficult to find a partner who can exchange images at “Year kindergarten athletic meet in fiscal year xx in Yokohama city xx,” etc., which is extremely difficult, and there are few subjects.

  Even if you are a member of the same Internet provider and can find the person who shared the shooting scene, it is more difficult to check whether you have taken the desired image only from the image uploaded on the server. .

  On the other hand, when multiple members collaborate and divide long shooting routes, it is effective to recognize what shooting mode the other cameras are in to determine their own shooting timing. It is. Photographers in the group are required to exchange information about the operation status of other cameras between the camera devices of the group members.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and at the shooting site, the user communicates wirelessly with a camera used by an unspecified and strange user in the vicinity. The purpose is to automatically exchange personal information accessible to each other. It is another object of the present invention to provide a photographing apparatus that can perform photographing in close cooperation by exchanging information between cameras of acquaintances.

  The first component of the proposal is a wireless communication means for exchanging information with an unspecified user's camera within the surrounding communication range, a user information management storage means for inputting and storing user information, and a camera photographing operation by the user. Relatedly, a transmission means for transmitting the information to a camera operated by an unspecified number of other users within a peripheral communication range, and receiving transmission information from another camera within the communication range It is characterized by comprising receiving means for storing, information recording control means for recording received information in association with an image being shot, and means for displaying user information received at the time of shooting according to image reproduction.

  On the other hand, the second component is related to wireless communication means for exchanging information with the user's camera in the surrounding communication range, storage means for storing the user or camera recognition information, and shooting operation of the camera by the user. Transmitting means for transmitting the information to other cameras operated by other users within the peripheral communication range, receiving means for receiving transmission information from other cameras within the communication range, received reception information And recording means for recording received information in association with the image being photographed, and means for displaying other camera information received during photographing in accordance with image reproduction.

  In more detail, the present invention can solve the above problems by the following configuration.

  (1) An imaging unit comprising an imaging unit and an image data recording unit, a user information management storage unit for inputting and storing user information, and operations related to the imaging operation of the imaging unit by the user are within the surrounding communication range. Receiving means for transmitting transmission information including the information to other imaging devices operated by an unspecified number of other users, receiving means for receiving transmission information from other imaging devices within the communication range, An imaging apparatus comprising: information recording means for holding received information and recording the received information in association with an image being captured.

  (2) In the photographing apparatus of (1), the photographing operation is a shutter operation at the time of still image photographing or a trigger operation for instructing the photographing start / end of photographing at the time of moving image photographing. A photographing apparatus characterized by performing a transmission operation of the information.

  (3) In the photographing apparatus according to (1), the transmission information is information accessible to a user, and includes an e-mail address for accessing the Internet or homepage address (URL) information. An imaging device characterized by things.

  (4) The photographing apparatus according to (1), wherein the transmission information includes date information or photographing position information related to a photographing operation.

  (5) The photographing apparatus according to (1), wherein the transmission information includes access information or a file name of a photographed and recorded image data file and ID information of a storage medium.

  (6) The photographing apparatus according to (1), wherein the transmission information includes operation mode information for indicating a recording or recording standby state of the photographing apparatus.

  (7) The imaging apparatus according to (1), wherein the transmission information includes message information that can be arbitrarily created by a user.

  (8) The photographing apparatus according to (1), further comprising means for imposing and displaying received information on a monitor display screen for an image being photographed.

  (9) In the photographing apparatus of (1), when a captured image is reproduced from a recording medium, the information received at the date and time when the reproduced image was captured (recorded) is simultaneously reproduced and displayed according to the reproduced image. An imaging device as a feature.

  (10) The photographing apparatus according to (1), wherein the received information is recorded on the same medium as the image together with the position of the photographed image or information associated with the recording date / time information, and according to the reproduction position of the image during reproduction. An image taking apparatus characterized in that the information is displayed or transferred to a PC via a digital interface.

  (11) Shooting means including an image pickup unit and a recording unit for image data, storage means for storing the recognition name or ID information of the user or the present photographing device, and peripheral communication as operations related to the shooting operation of the shooting means by the user Transmission means for transmitting the information and information related to the operation mode or imaging parameters of the imaging device to other imaging devices operated by other users who are within the range and are recognized, and other devices within the communication range An imaging apparatus comprising: receiving means for receiving the transmission information from the imaging apparatus; and information recording means for holding the received reception information and recording the received information in association with an image being captured.

  (12) In the photographing apparatus of (11), the photographing operation is a shutter operation at the time of still image photographing or a trigger operation for instructing photographing start / end at the time of moving image photographing. A photographing apparatus characterized by performing a transmission operation of the information.

  (13) The photographing apparatus according to (12), wherein the information is periodically transmitted during moving image photographing.

  (14) The photographing apparatus according to (11), wherein the transmission information includes date information or photographing position information related to a photographing operation.

  (15) In the photographing apparatus according to (11), the transmission information includes access information or a file name of a photographed and recorded image data file and ID information of a storage medium.

  (16) The photographing apparatus according to (11), wherein the transmission information includes operation mode information for indicating a recording or recording standby state of the photographing apparatus.

  (17) The imaging apparatus according to (11), wherein the transmission information includes message information that can be arbitrarily created by a user.

  (18) The photographing apparatus according to (11), further comprising means for imposing and displaying received information on a monitor display screen for an image being photographed.

  (19) In the photographing apparatus of (11), when reproducing a photographed image from a recording medium, the information received at the date and time when the reproduced image was photographed (recorded) is simultaneously reproduced and displayed according to the reproduced image. An imaging device as a feature.

  (20) The photographing apparatus according to (11), wherein the received information is recorded on the same medium as the image together with the position of the photographed image or information associated with the recording date and time information, and the image is reproduced according to the reproduction position of the image. An image taking apparatus characterized in that the information is displayed or transferred to a PC via a digital interface.

  According to the first to tenth aspects of the present invention, user information such as an e-mail address can be automatically and unconsciously exchanged between photographers having an unfamiliar relationship who happened to be present at the shooting site. It is possible to easily exchange information and images regarding the image. This is a very effective function in terms of privacy because human interaction is minimized.

  Further, according to claim 11-20, when joint photographing by a plurality of photographers who are peers is performed in advance, it is possible to automatically exchange information on what kind of photographing state each other photographer has, so that cooperative photographing can be performed. In addition to smooth shared shooting, it is easy to understand the relationships between images of multiple media or multiple photographers when editing one image later from image media shot with multiple cameras. You can search and use the images of users.

  Hereinafter, the best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described in detail with reference to examples.

  FIG. 1 is a system block diagram of a disc camcorder using an optical disc medium according to an embodiment of the present invention. Reference numeral 101 denotes a camera image processing unit that outputs image signals picked up by an image sensor (CCD) as digital data. Reference numeral 102 denotes JPEG for still images and MPEG2 data for moving images to record camera image data. A recording / reproduction image processing unit (CODEC) 103 is an LCD display for monitoring a camera-captured image or a reproduction image to be recorded and displaying apparatus status information and operation information. 104 is image data processed by 102 In order to record accompanying information and metadata from 109 and 109 as a data file on a random access medium, a data file creation circuit (formatter circuit) compliant with a predetermined data format, 105 is a recording medium drive unit unit using an optical disk, System control circuit 107 , A user's shooting operation, menu operation, operation KEY for inputting user information, 108 is a memory circuit for holding user information, 109 is a user information transmission control held in 108, and the received information is sent to the recorded image A sub information control circuit 110, which is inserted as metadata into the data file, is a wireless communication circuit corresponding to the Bluetooth standard.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining the mode transition operation of the camera by the user operation and the communication timing between the cameras in the photographing apparatus according to the present embodiment.

  Reference numeral 201 denotes a camera 1 operated by the user himself / herself, and shows the time and camera mode present at the shooting site in time series. During the broken line period, the camera is in a mode other than shooting standby or shooting recording mode (power off or playback). Mode).

  Similarly, 202 shows the operation modes of the camera 2 that other users in the communication range have in time series. The solid line periods 203 and 204 are times when the cameras 1 and 2 are in the shooting standby state. The rectangular periods 205 and 206 indicate the actual recording operation time of moving images and still images.

  The thick line periods 207 and 208 indicate operation periods in which the received information is mixed and recorded as image information data as metadata for the moving image and still image recording data captured by each camera. Reference numerals 209, 210, 212, and 214 denote data transmission operations that call for information exchange to peripheral cameras at the timing shown in accordance with the transition operation of the operation mode of each camera. 211, 213, and 215 respond to the received call transmission by other cameras in the communication area, and show both the communication operation for returning user information and the user information transmission operation from the calling camera.

  Based on these drawings, the shooting operation of each camera and the camera when the camera 1 (the user himself / herself, hereinafter referred to as the user) and the camera 2 (another user, referred to as the user 2) are present at the shooting site. Details of the communication between them will be described. As both the camera 1 and the camera 2 are the system of FIG. 1, the same parts will be described with the same numbers and names.

  The shooting site will be described assuming that it is within the communication range and the garden of the day of the kindergarten athletic meet.

  First, the user holds the camera 1 and will explain from the time when he came to the kindergarten, which is the shooting site.

  The point in time when the camera is brought into the garden with the power off is shown in FIG. 2P1. At this time, the camera 2 of the user 2 has already been near the garden from the previous point Q1, but the camera 2 was not turned on. Even at P1, the cameras 1 and 2 are not yet turned on and are in the STOP state, and neither communicates.

  Both cameras are equipped with a user information exchange function (hereinafter referred to as a self-introduction communication function), and both users have previously entered the handle name and email address of each user into the camera. In each camera setting, the self-introduction communication function operation is set to the ON state.

  A state in which communication is performed by changing the operation mode by a user operation of each camera from such a state will be described.

  The time point when the user 2 first sets the power mode of the camera 2 to the shooting standby state is defined as Q2. At this time, the camera 2 performs the mode transition operation to the shooting standby mode, and at the same time, the user 2 is the transmission information that has been set in the camera 2 by the user 2 with respect to the cameras within the neighboring Bluetooth communication range. (In this case, the user's handle name and e-mail address) are read from the memory 108, and at the same time, the operation code information indicating the photographing standby state which is the operation mode of the camera is sent from the controller 106 to the sub information control circuit 109. In 109, the user information and the mode information of the camera 1 are sent to the Bluetooth circuit 110 so as to be transmitted. In the Bluetooth circuit 110, negotiation transmission for requesting a communication response as a self-introduction communication function is performed toward another camera within the communication range (FIG. 2 209).

  At this time, since the power mode of the camera 1 is still in the off state and is not in the communicable mode, there is no response. In the figure, only two cameras are shown, but if another camera is in a response state in a communicable area, a response will be entered, but at this point, other responding cameras are within the communication range. Since it is assumed that it does not exist, the monitor screen of the camera 2 only displays a comment indicating that there is no response camera after waiting for a predetermined time. User 2 can see that there is no self-introduction camera nearby.

  Subsequently, P3 indicates the time when the user (user 1) sets the power mode of the camera 1 to the shooting standby mode as preparation for shooting. The camera 1 enters a shooting standby state in accordance with the system control of the system control 106, and the user starts to determine the composition for the subject to be shot. At this time, as in the case of the camera 2, a call communication for the self-introduction communication function (FIG. 2210) is transmitted from the camera 1 to the other peripheral cameras.

  At this time, since the camera 2 within the communication range is also in the standby mode, it is received in response to the call 210 of the camera 1 and is in a response ready state. A reply is sent from the camera 2 to the camera 1. The communication set information set in the camera 1 is sent from the return camera 1 to the camera 2 (211 in FIG. 22). Here, the user handle name, e-mail address, and camera operation mode information are sent.

  The camera 1 receives the reply from the camera 2, the camera 2 exists in a standby state within the communication range, and the user's (user 2) handle name and e-mail address information can be obtained together. The presence of the camera 2 is displayed on the monitor screen of the camera 1. At the same time, the sub information control circuit 109 prepares the user handle name, camera mode information, and e-mail address information of the camera 2 to be recorded as metadata corresponding to the photographed image.

  At this time, the camera 1 is in recording standby, but the presence of the camera 2 is displayed on the monitor. If recording starts as it is, the received information is recorded corresponding to the image.

  FIG. 3 is a sequence diagram for explaining the communication procedure. Although FIG. 2 has been described with call transmission and data communication, more specifically, as shown in this figure, user information is exchanged by communication in four steps of call response, user data transmission, and reception.

  FIG. 4 shows the data structure of a moving image file to be recorded. The header part is composed of data including file entry information as management information and a thumbnail image. The body part is MPEG2-compressed image data, and the footer part is time table information indicating a data position corresponding to the elapsed time from the recording start time and metadata information associated with the image. The metadata information includes camera parameters (AF, ZOOM, AE, etc.) that change every moment at the time of shooting. In this embodiment, user information and operation modes of neighboring cameras by the self-introduction communication function are recorded in the footer portion in correspondence with the recorded image.

  Thereafter, the camera 1 enters the recording mode by the operation of the user 1 at the timing P4.

  At this time, a call transmission for the self-introduction communication function is transmitted again (212). Here too, data exchange with the camera 2 by the self-introduction communication function is performed, and the received information is directly incorporated into the image file data and recorded as metadata of the recorded image. A thick line 207 in the recording period 205 indicates that the metadata associated with the image is being recorded (if the image data of this period is reproduced in the reproduction mode, the camera recorded as the metadata 2 information is displayed).

  Next, a case where the camera 2 captures a still image at Q4 timing is shown. At this timing, since the camera 1 is still in shooting standby, the camera 2 similarly transmits a self-introduction negotiation to the camera 1 within the communication range (214), and exchanges user information with the camera 1 (215). As the metadata of the still image file recorded in the camera 2, personal information (handle name and e-mail address) of the user 1 and operation mode information (208) of the camera 1 are recorded.

  FIG. 5 shows user information sent from a neighboring camera displayed on the monitor screen in shooting standby or shooting recording mode. In this figure, there are replies from two cameras, and as a result of the self-introduction communication, the user's handle name and the camera operation mode are displayed as user information of two persons.

  FIG. 6 shows a state in which user information is also reproduced at the same time and displayed on a monitor when a captured image is reproduced in a reproduction mode later. The reproducing user can easily make an inquiry from the PC via the Internet to the displayed e-mail address as a partner who can exchange related images by seeing this display.

  In recent years, so-called free mail addresses are frequently used for e-mail addresses, and it is possible to easily obtain addresses for free. By using the email address that is intended for temporary use in a short period of time, if you use an email address that is not worried about privacy for the purpose of this proposal, security problems will be reduced, so it will be extremely difficult to go It can be said that it is a function.

  As described above, in this embodiment, the timing for automatically performing self-introduction communication is transmitted to neighboring cameras at the time of shooting standby and video recording start or still image shooting at the time of operation mode transition. Then, after confirming the negotiation, the user information and the operation mode information of each camera are exchanged with each other, and the operation and function of the video camera recorded together with the image corresponding to the subsequent recorded image have been described.

  As a second embodiment (not shown), the self-introduction communication function is activated by a predetermined time interval or a user operation not only at the time of standby or recording of a captured image but also during recording of a moving image, and user information in the vicinity is recorded. It is also possible to communicate and record with the image as the latest status data. As a result, it is also possible to exchange and use user information corresponding to the captured image more precisely.

  In this case, communication is automatically started by a predetermined timer during recording. There is also a method of providing an operation key so that a user can perform manual communication.

  In the above embodiment, the method of exchanging the e-mail address and the camera operation mode information together has been described. However, as described in the above-described necessity, e-mail is used in the case of performing cooperative shooting between friends. Addresses are not necessary, and it is possible to exchange camera shooting parameters as more shooting is coordinated and shooting with better image quality is achieved.

  This proposal can provide a very effective function by recording other user information or shooting information that is present in the vicinity of each recorded image regardless of whether it is a moving image or a still image.

System block diagram of the embodiment Explanatory diagram of communication timing of the embodiment Protocol communication sequence Data structure of MPEG2 video file Monitor display during recording Monitor display during playback

Explanation of symbols

Reference numeral 101 denotes a camera image processing unit 102 that outputs image signals captured by an image sensor (CCD) as digital data. A camera image processing unit 102 records JPEG for still images and MPEG2 data for moving images to record camera image data. Playback image processing unit (CODEC)
An LCD display 104 for monitoring camera-recorded images or playback images to be recorded and displaying device status information and operation information displays the image data processed in 102 and accompanying information and metadata from 109. Data file creation circuit (formatter circuit) conforming to a predetermined data format for recording as a data file on random access media
Reference numeral 105 denotes an optical disk recording medium drive unit unit 106, and a system control circuit 107 includes an operation key for a user to input a shooting operation, a menu operation, and user information.
Reference numeral 108 denotes a memory circuit 109 that holds user information. Transmission control of user information held in 108 and the sub information control circuit 110 that inserts received information as metadata into a data file of a recorded image are compliant with the Bluetooth standard. Corresponding wireless communication circuit 201 shows the time and camera mode present at the shooting site of camera 1 operated by the user himself / herself. 202 shows the operation mode of camera 2 possessed by another user in time series. Is.
The solid line periods 203 and 204 are times when the cameras 1 and 2 are in the shooting standby state.
The rectangular periods 205 and 206 indicate the actual recording operation time for moving images and still images.
The thick line periods 207 and 208 indicate operation periods in which the received information is mixed and recorded as image information data as metadata for the moving image and still image recording data captured by each camera.
Reference numerals 209, 210, 212, and 214 denote data transmission operations for calling information exchange with peripheral cameras at the timing shown in the figure in accordance with the operation transition of the operation mode of each camera.
211, 213, and 215 indicate both a communication operation in which another camera in the communication area responds to the received call transmission and sends back user information and a user information transmission operation from the calling camera.
401 is a header 402 of the image data file, body 403 is the main data of the image data file, and footer is metadata that is the sub information of the image.

Claims (20)

  An imaging unit comprising an imaging unit and an image data recording unit, a user information management storage unit for inputting and storing user information, and an operation related to a shooting operation of the imaging unit by the user within the surrounding communication range and unspecified A transmission unit that transmits transmission information including the information to other imaging devices operated by many other users, a reception unit that receives transmission information from other imaging devices within the communication range, and a received reception information An imaging apparatus comprising: information recording means for holding and recording received information in association with an image being captured.   2. The photographing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the photographing operation is a shutter operation at the time of still image photographing or a trigger operation for instructing a photographing start / photographing end at the time of moving image photographing. An imaging apparatus characterized by performing a transmission operation.   2. The photographing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the transmission information is information that can be accessed by a user, and includes an e-mail address for accessing the Internet or homepage address (URL) information. Shooting device to do.   The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the transmission information includes date and time information related to an imaging operation or imaging position information.   2. The photographing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the transmission information includes access information or a file name of a photographed and recorded image data file and ID information of a storage medium.   2. The photographing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the transmission information includes operation mode information for indicating a recording or recording standby state of the photographing apparatus.   The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the transmission information includes message information that can be arbitrarily created by a user.   2. The photographing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising means for imposing and displaying received information on a monitor display screen for an image being photographed.   2. The photographing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein when a photographed image is reproduced from a recording medium, the information received at the date and time when the reproduced image was photographed (recorded) is simultaneously reproduced and displayed according to the reproduced image. apparatus.   2. The photographing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the received information is recorded on the same medium as the image together with the position of the photographed image or information associated with the recording date and time information, and the information is recorded according to the reproduction position of the image at the time of reproduction. An imaging device characterized by being displayed or transferred to a PC via a digital interface.   Imaging means comprising an imaging unit and a recording unit for image data, storage means for storing the recognition name or ID information of the user or the imaging apparatus, and operations related to the imaging operation of the imaging means by the user within the surrounding communication range A transmission means for transmitting the information and information related to the operation mode or imaging parameters of the imaging apparatus to another imaging apparatus operated by another user who is recognized and from other imaging apparatuses within the communication range; An imaging apparatus comprising: a receiving means for receiving the transmission information; and an information recording means for holding the received reception information and recording the received information in association with an image being shot.   12. The photographing apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the photographing operation is a shutter operation at the time of still image photographing or a trigger operation for instructing a photographing start / photographing end at the time of moving image photographing. An imaging apparatus characterized by performing a transmission operation.   13. The photographing apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the information is periodically transmitted during moving image photographing.   12. The photographing apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the transmission information includes date / time information related to a photographing operation or photographing position information.   12. The photographing apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the transmission information includes access information or a file name of a photographed and recorded image data file and ID information of a storage medium.   12. The imaging apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the transmission information includes operation mode information for indicating a recording or recording standby state of the imaging apparatus.   The imaging apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the transmission information includes message information that can be arbitrarily created by a user.   12. The photographing apparatus according to claim 11, further comprising means for imposing and displaying received information on a monitor display screen for an image being photographed.   12. The photographing apparatus according to claim 11, wherein when the photographed image is reproduced from the recording medium, the information received at the date and time when the reproduced image was photographed (recorded) is simultaneously reproduced and displayed according to the reproduced image. apparatus.   12. The photographing apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the received information is recorded on the same medium as the image together with the position of the photographed image or information associated with the recording date / time information, and the information is recorded according to the reproduction position of the image at the time of reproduction. An imaging device characterized by displaying or transferring to a PC via a digital interface.

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