JP2009232114A - Image reproducing apparatus, its method and image reproducing program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To appropriately combine image data acquired by photographing by a general user and a plurality of pieces of image data acquired by photographing by different photographers like the image data provided from others to reproduce the combined image date. <P>SOLUTION: While reproducing individual image data, provided image data relating to the individual image data at least in terms of a photographing place, for instance the provided image data taken at a place matched with the photographing place where the individual image data are acquired or near the photographing place where the individual image data are acquired, are reproduced as auxiliary image data. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an image reproduction apparatus and method for reproducing a combination of a plurality of image data acquired by, for example, photographing by different photographers, and an image reproduction program.

If a general user takes a camera for a trip, for example, take a commemorative photo at a famous place / historic site in various places, take a snapshot by taking a walk, and put his own image into the camera as a memorial Can do. Then, if there is a photographed image, the general user can touch the occasional image after returning home to play back the image of the trip and remember the enjoyable time.
However, when an image taken by a general user himself / herself is reproduced, it often feels unsatisfactory. The reason for this is that the images taken by the general user themselves become bored due to the increase in the number of similar scenes, or of course, compared to carefully selected images obtained by photography by professional photographers. This is because all the images that look inferior are tired of seeing.

  In television (TV), images of the best spots in the area are broadcast, and images of the best spots in the area are posted in magazines and the like. However, in actual trips, there are many cases where it is not possible to shoot images similar to TV or magazines due to time constraints, weather conditions, etc. This may be one of the reasons why you can't enjoy your shots.

On the other hand, the environmental infrastructure of information communication systems has been rapidly improved as represented by the worldwide spread of the Internet, the speed of information communication, and its low price. As a result, various techniques for using the information communication system for information transmission from a sightseeing spot have been proposed, as in Patent Documents 1 and 2, for example.
Patent Document 1 provides content in which image data and event information for identifying a sightseeing spot related to the image data are acquired, and content is recorded by associating appropriate content based on the event information with event information. Disclosed is an electronic album creation system that searches a site, receives content retrieved from the content providing site, and creates an electronic album in which the acquired image and the received content are pasted.
Patent Document 2 discloses a photo print ordering system that can easily obtain a photo print obtained by combining digital image data taken by an individual with image data specific to a shooting location such as a sightseeing spot.
JP 2002-358310 A Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2002-63443

  There is an environment in which tourist-specific and facility-specific images can be obtained through a network or the like without having to be photographed by ordinary users themselves. In many cases, images provided through a network or the like are taken several times better than images taken by general users themselves. That said, there is no such thing as an image taken by a general user himself is unnecessary. The image acquired by the general user himself / herself is a precious image of the general user himself / herself and his / her family.

  If an image acquired by photographing of the general user himself and an image provided through a network or the like from a tourist facility or the like can be appropriately combined and reproduced, it is expected that the enjoyment of viewing the image will be doubled for the general user. However, in order to combine image data obtained by photographing of a general user and image data provided from a tourist facility, processing such as rearrangement of the respective image data must be performed by an image editing apparatus or the like. Therefore, it takes too much time to rearrange the order of the image data. However, there is a demand for an apparatus that reproduces image data acquired by photographing of a general user and provided image data at an appropriate timing without taking time and effort.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and appropriately selects a plurality of pieces of image data obtained by photographing of different photographers such as image data obtained by photographing of a general user and image data provided by others. An object of the present invention is to provide an image reproducing apparatus and method, and an image reproducing program that can be combined and reproduced.

An image reproduction apparatus for reproducing first image data according to a main aspect of the present invention uses second image data taken by a different photographer at a shooting location related to the first image data as first image data. A reproduction control unit for reproducing the image data in the order related to the first image data.
An image reproduction method for reproducing image data in a predetermined order according to a main aspect of the present invention relates to a shooting location related to first image data during reproduction of first image data shot by a general user. Then, the second image data provided by the operator is reproduced as auxiliary image data for assisting the first image data in the order related to the first image data.
An image reproduction program for reproducing image data in a predetermined order according to a main aspect of the present invention is executed by a computer, and the first image data is reproduced during reproduction of the first image data photographed by a general user. On the other hand, the second image data related to the shooting location and provided by the operator is reproduced as auxiliary image data for assisting the first image data in the order related to the first image data.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to appropriately combine and reproduce a plurality of pieces of image data acquired by photographing by different photographers, such as image data obtained by photographing of a general user and image data provided by others. An image reproduction apparatus and method, and an image reproduction program can be provided.

Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a digital camera 1 to which an image reproducing apparatus is applied. The camera 1 is equipped with a control unit 11 composed of a computer such as a CPU. The control unit 11 includes a ROM 13 that stores various control programs and the like via the bus line 12, an imaging unit 14, a RAM 15, a recording / playback unit 16, a storage unit 17, a display control unit 18, and position detection. The unit 19, the audio processing unit 20, and the communication unit 21 are connected. The bus line 12 includes a ROM 13, an imaging unit 14, a RAM 15, a recording / playback unit 16, a storage unit 17, a display control unit 18, a position detection unit 19, and an audio processing unit 20 inside the camera 1. The image data and command data can be communicated with the communication unit 21.
An operation unit 22 is connected to the control unit 11. A display unit 23 is connected to the display control unit 18. A speaker 24 is connected to the audio processing unit 20. An external server 31 is connected to the communication unit 21 via the network 30. An external database 32 is connected to the external server 31.

  The control unit 11 reads various control programs including a main control program for overall control of the camera 1 stored in the ROM 13 and an image reproduction program for controlling image reproduction. Based on the above, the camera 1 is comprehensively controlled. Among them, the image reproduction program is executed by a computer including a CPU and the like, and reproduces first image data, for example, image data acquired by photographing of an individual general user (hereinafter referred to as personal image data). During the reproduction of the personal image data, the second image data related to the personal image data at least at the shooting location, for example, the same shooting location as the shooting location of the personal image data retrieved from the external database 32 through the network 30 described later. Image data (hereinafter referred to as provided image data) acquired by shooting at or near a shooting location is reproduced as auxiliary image data for assisting the personal image data in the order related to the personal image data.

The ROM 13 stores the various control programs in advance and various data. The ROM 13 is composed of, for example, a nonvolatile memory.
The imaging unit 14 captures a subject and obtains image data thereof. The imaging unit 14 has an imaging unit and an optical unit having a lens driving unit, an imaging element that photoelectrically converts a subject image formed by the optical unit, It consists of an image circuit or the like that performs various signal processing on the image signal output from the image sensor to create image data.
The RAM 15 stores image data output from the imaging unit 14 at the time of shooting, and is used as a working memory when executing digital processing on the image data. The RAM 15 is formed from, for example, a DRAM.

The recording / reproducing unit 16 stores an image compression unit that performs compression processing, for example, JPEG, MPEG, etc., on the image data stored in the RAM 15 at the time of shooting, and the image data compressed by the image compression unit in the storage unit 17. An image recording unit that reads the image data stored in the storage unit 17 during reproduction, and an image decompression unit that decompresses the compressed image data.
The recording / reproducing unit 16 includes, for example, an audio recording unit that compresses and records audio data attached to the image data, and an audio reproducing unit that reads and expands the recorded audio data.
The storage unit 17 stores, for example, image data and audio data compressed by the recording / reproducing unit 16, and includes, for example, a nonvolatile memory. The storage unit 17 is formed of, for example, a hard disk or a flash memory, and may be either detachable from the camera 1 or built in. The storage unit 17 can store a program provided from the outside.

  The display control unit 18 performs resize processing or image processing such as γ on the display unit 23 to display the captured image data on the display unit 23 at the time of shooting, and displays it on the display unit 23 as a monitor image. The image data is displayed on the display unit 23 by performing resizing processing and image processing such as γ as described above.

The display control unit 18 includes an image composition unit 18a. The image composition unit 18a performs appropriate reduction processing to compose a plurality of image data to create one composite image data.
The display unit 23 displays monitor image data, reproduced image data, synthesized image data, or the like under the control of the display control unit 18. The display unit 23 is composed of, for example, a liquid crystal display (LCD) or an organic EL.

The position detection unit 19 is activated at the time of shooting, for example, detects a GPS (Global Positioning System) signal, identifies the current position of the camera 1, that is, the shooting location based on the GPS signal, and outputs the shooting location data. . When the position detection unit 19 is activated at the time of shooting, the recording / playback unit 16 uses the shooting location data specified by the position detection unit 19 as part of the management information of the image data acquired by the shooting of the shooting unit 14 together with the image data. Write to the storage unit 17.
The audio processing unit 20 converts the audio data expanded by the audio reproducing unit of the recording / reproducing unit 16 into an analog audio signal and outputs the analog audio signal to the speaker 21 when the audio is output, and the speaker 21 is sounded.
The speaker 21 converts the analog audio signal output from the audio processing unit 20 into audio and places a call.

The communication unit 21 controls transmission / reception of, for example, image data and audio data between the camera 1 and an external device such as the external server 31. The communication unit 21 is connected to an external server 31 by an Internet site or the like via a network 30, and various data such as provided image data can be obtained from the external server 31. The communication unit 21 is configured in accordance with, for example, the USB (Universal Serial Bus) standard.
The operation unit 22 receives an operation of an operator (general user) with respect to the camera 1 and notifies the control unit 11 of operation information. The operation input by the operator is, for example, switching between the shooting mode and the playback mode.

  For example, the camera 1 reproduces a combination of two or more different types of image data at an appropriate timing, although the image data is obtained by photographing substantially the same place, that is, the photographing place or near the photographing place. To do. Typical examples of combinations of different types of image data include, for example, personal image data (personal image data) acquired by personal shooting by a general user and images provided by a company or company (so-called business operator). There is a combination with data (provided image data). Hereinafter, a combination of individual (general user) image data and image data provided by a provider will be described. Other examples of combinations of different types of image data include, for example, image data of the same individual level. In addition, the present invention can be applied to a combination of personal image data and other person's image data.

  An external database 32 is connected to the external server 31. The external database 32 stores various types of information on homepages (HP) of tourist spots, art museums, museums, hotels, shops, etc. (hereinafter referred to as business operators or external facilities). This homepage information includes provided image data provided to an individual from an external facility, for example. The content of the provided image data is, for example, a typical landscape, a famous or a building, a special dish, etc. if it is a sightseeing spot. For example, in the case of hotel-provided image data D1, there are, for example, the appearance of a building, an image inside a guest room, a menu of course food, and the like. In the case of the provided image data D2 of the cake store, for example, it is the exterior of the store or the currently popular number one recommended cake. In the case of the image data D3 provided by the jewelry shop, for example, it is an expensive necklace or a ring representing the shop.

  The homepage information is not limited to image data. For example, if there is audio data or text data, the audio data and text data are also provided. If the homepage information is not provided separately of the provided image data, but also timing data in which a timing procedure for appropriately combining the provided image data with the customer (individual) image data is prepared, this timing is provided. Data is also provided with the image data.

The communication unit 21 receives an operator instruction given to the operation unit 22, accesses the external server 31 of the external facility desired by the operator according to the operator's instruction, and provides the provided image from the external server 31. Various data such as data, provided audio data, and timing data are received.
The recording / reproducing unit 16 stores various data such as provided image data, audio data, and timing data received by the communication unit 21 in the storage unit 17. The recording / reproducing unit 16 attaches a flag, for example, “1” for identifying the provided image data to the provided image data when the data is stored in the storage unit 17.

The control unit 11 executes various control processes by executing an image reproduction program stored in the ROM 13, and the characteristic processes in the present embodiment are referred to as a reproduction control unit 11a and a search unit 11b.
The reproduction control unit 11a reads image data such as personal image data and provided image data from the storage unit 17 during reproduction of the image data, and sets the reproduction order based on the supplementary information of the read image data, and the display control unit 18. And the reproduction operation of personal image data and provided image data is controlled. When performing a slide show, the reproduction control unit 11a sets, for example, the order of reproducing personal image data acquired by personal photographing according to the photographing date and time. In addition, when reproducing the personal image data including the provided image data, the reproduction control unit 11a sets the reproduction order of the personal image data and the provided image data.

  Further, when timing data is attached to the provided image data, the playback control unit 11a sets the playback order with reference to the timing data. The timing data is data for determining at what timing the provided image data is interrupted during the reproduction of the personal image data according to the shooting date and time of the personal image data to be reproduced. For example, if the display time for which reproduction is desired is provided image data described as, for example, time 18:00, the reproduction control unit 11a displays each of the display images near the display time 18:00 during reproduction of a plurality of personal image data. The provided image data is reproduced by interrupting the personal image data. Note that a plurality of reproduction order modes of the personal image data and the provided image data may be prepared, depending on the selection of the operator.

When the image data is reproduced, the search unit 11b extracts the file name of the provided image data from the storage unit 17 using the flag “1” indicating that the provided image data is attached to the image file as a mark. The name and shooting location data are recorded in the ROM 13.
The search unit 11b reads out image data other than the provided image data, for example, shooting location data of personal image data, and from among the plurality of read image data, shooting at the same position as the shooting location data or in the vicinity of the shooting location. The provided image data having the location data is further searched. If information indicating the correspondence between the personal image data and the provided image data is separately described in each image file, the search unit 11b provides the provided image data based on the information indicating the correspondence instead of the shooting location data. You may make it search. In addition, the search unit 11b searches the provided image data corresponding to the shooting location of the personal image data from an external database, for example.

The recording / reproducing unit 16 reads image data to be reproduced from the storage unit 17 as needed in the order set under the control of the reproduction control unit 11a and decompresses the image data.
The display control unit 18 receives the image data expanded by the recording / playback unit 16 and displays the image data on the display unit 23. When receiving an instruction to combine the personal image data and the provided image data from the reproduction control unit 11a, the image composition unit 18a of the display control unit 18 performs a predetermined reduction process on either of the personal image data and the provided image data. And composite image data is created.

Next, the personal image data and provided image data reproduced at a predetermined timing will be specifically described.
FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing the contents of a plurality of image data such as personal image data and provided image data stored in the storage unit 17. In the storage unit 17, columns of a number (image number No), a file name, a shooting location, a shooting (acquisition) date, provided image data, and a group are formed to indicate the contents of each image data. Has been. Each image data has a file name. These image data are arranged in the order of image numbers. This image number is given in the order of file acquisition. For personal image data, the order is determined based on the shooting date and time. The order of the provided image data is determined based on the date and time (date and time of acquisition) received from the outside and stored in the storage unit 17. Personal image data and provided image data are arranged side by side.

These image data are attached with information (flag) indicating whether it is a shooting location, shooting date and time, or provided image data. Among these, the shooting location information is data indicating the shooting location at the time of shooting detected by the position detection unit 19. The data indicating the shooting location may be, for example, information on latitude and longitude, or information on a place name or lot number.
The shooting date / time information indicates the actual shooting date / time for the personal image data, and the acquisition date / time stored in the storage unit 17 of the camera 1 for the provided image data.

  The provided image data information indicates the content of a flag indicating whether or not the image data file is provided image data. For example, if the flag content is “1”, the image data is provided image data, and if the flag content is “0”, the image data is personal image data. For example, the number 1 of the image data is the file name “00101.jpg”, the shooting location “P0”, the shooting date “May 10, 2007, 6:00”, and the provided image column “ Since “0” is recorded, it indicates personal image data.

  The group column indicates the relationship between the personal image data and the provided image data. In this group column, codes for indicating personal image data and provided image data that are to be reproduced in combination, for example, “A”, “B”, “C”, and the like are stored. For example, the code “A” is stored in each group column of the image data of image numbers No. 4, No. 5, and No. 6, and No. 17, No. 18, and No. 19, respectively. This indicates that the individual image data of numbers No. 4, No. 5, and No. 6 and the provided image data of numbers No. 17, No. 18, and No. 19 have a relationship of being reproduced in combination. Similarly, a code “B” is stored in each group column of the image data of No. 7 and No. 8 and No. 13 and No. 14, respectively. This indicates that the personal image data of No. 7 and the provided image data of No. 13 and No. 14 are in a relationship to be reproduced in combination. In addition, a code “C” is stored in each group column of the image data of No. 9 and No. 22 and No. 23, respectively. This indicates that the personal image data of No. 9 and the provided image data of No. 22 and No. 23 are in a relationship of being reproduced in combination.

Specific image data belonging to the groups of reference numerals “A”, “B”, and “C” will be described with reference to FIG.
As shown in FIG. 2, the image numbers No1 to No9 are personal image data. Image numbers No13, No14, No17, No18, No19, No22, and No23 are provided image data.
Among these, the individual image data of the image numbers No. 4 to No. 6 are common at the shooting location P1. The provided image data of image numbers No. 17 to No. 19 are also common at the shooting location P1. Each of the provided image data of the image numbers No17 to No19 is taken at an external facility installed at the shooting location P1 that is the shooting location of the individual image data of the image numbers No4 to No6. Provided image data D1, for example, image data of the hotel exterior, main dish, cabin, etc.
Each of the individual image data of image numbers No. 4 to No. 6 belongs to the group of the code “A”. Each provided image data of image numbers No. 17 to No. 19 also belongs to the group of “A”. Accordingly, the individual image data of image numbers No. 4 to No. 6 and the provided image data of image numbers No. 17 to No. 19 are subject to reproduction in combination.

  The personal image data of image numbers No. 7 and No. 8 are common at the shooting location P2. The provided image data of image numbers No. 13 and No. 14 are also common at the shooting location P2. Each of the provided image data of the image numbers No. 13 and No. 14 is taken at an external facility set up at the shooting location P2, which is the shooting location of each of the individual image data of the image number No. 7, and stored in the external database 32, for example. Provided image data D2 of the cake store being provided, for example, from the appearance of the store provided from the cake store and image data of the cake or the like.

The individual image data of image numbers No. 7 and No. 8 belong to the group of code “B”. Each provided image data of the image numbers No. 13 and No. 14 also belongs to the group “B”. Accordingly, the individual image data of image numbers No. 7 and No. 8 and the provided image data of image numbers No. 13 and No. 14 are to be reproduced in combination.
The personal image data of image number No. 9 is the shooting location P3. Each provided image data of the image numbers No22 and No23 is common at the shooting location P3. Each of the provided image data of the image numbers No22 and No23 is photographed at an external facility installed at the photographing location P3 that is the photographing location of the personal image data of the image number No9, and is stored in the external database 32, for example. Provided image data D3 of a jewelry shop, for example, image data of a jewelry store ring and necklace.

  The personal image data with the image number No. 9 belongs to the group of the code “C”. Each provided image data of the image numbers No. 22 and No. 23 also belongs to the group of the code “C”. Accordingly, the personal image data with the image number No. 9 and the provided image data with the image numbers No. 22 and No. 23 are to be reproduced in combination.

Next, the audio data reproduced at a predetermined timing will be specifically described.
FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing a part of the audio data stored in the storage unit 17. In the storage unit 17, fields of an audio number, a file name, a shooting (acquisition) date, a provided image, and a group are formed to indicate the contents of each audio data. In the file name column, the same number as the image file name is stored for the sound reproduced in synchronization with the image data, and the extension “wav” is added.

The sound data of the sound number No1 is the file name “00114.wav”, and the image data D2 of the cake store stored in the shooting location P2, that is, the external database 32, is the same as the image data of the image number No14 shown in FIG. For example, it is provided from the appearance of a store provided from a cake store and image data such as cake. The audio data of the audio number No1 belongs to the group of the code “B” as the image data of the image number No14.
The sound data of the sound number No2 is the file name “00123.wav”, and is the same as the image data of the image numbers No9, No22, and No23 shown in FIG. Provided image data D3, for example, image data of jewelry store rings and necklaces. The audio data of the audio number No. 2 belongs to the group of the code “C” like the image data of the image numbers No. 9, No. 22, and No. 23. Since the audio data of the audio number No. 2 has the file name “00123.wav”, it corresponds to the image data of the image number No. 23.

  FIG. 5 shows the order of the image data when the image data shown in FIG. 3 is reproduced by a slide show. There are various rules for the reproduction timing of provided image data. In the present embodiment, when provided image data exists, a rule is adopted that reproduces all of the provided image data prior to the personal image data. The figure shows, for example, the screen numbers (1), (2),... (3) in which image numbers are assigned to the upper left of each image data, for example, and are reproduced in line with the image numbers.

The reproduction of the following image data is mainly controlled by the reproduction control unit 11a.
Each image data of image numbers No1 to No3 is personal image data for which provided image data does not exist. These personal image data are displayed on the display unit 23 in the order of image numbers No 1 → No 2 → No 3 at regular time intervals as in a normal slide show.

After displaying the personal image data with the image number No. 3 and before displaying the personal image data with the image number No. 4, the display unit 23 displays the judgment image data Q for determining whether or not to provide the provided image data in the screen order (4). To display. The determination image data Q is displayed because it may be desired to reproduce the personal image data by skipping the provided image data. This judgment image data Q has, for example, the content “There is a photo received from a hotel. Do you want to play it? YES / NO”.
Here, if there is an instruction “YES” that permits the display of the provided image data by the operation of the operation unit 22 by the operator, the personal image data of the image number No4 is displayed before the display of the personal image data of the image number No4. The provided image data of image numbers No. 17, No. 18 and No. 19 belonging to the same group “A” as the group “A” to which the image belongs belong to the display unit 23 sequentially in the screen order (5) to (7).

  Each of the provided image data of the image numbers No17, No18, and No19 is provided from the provided image data D1 of the hotel stored in the external database 32. First, the image number No17 is provided by photographing the exterior of the hotel, for example. The image data, the next image number No. 18 is provided image data obtained by photographing the main dish, and the next image number No. 19 is provided image data obtained by photographing the cabin. The provided image data of the image numbers No. 17 to No. 19 are provided by searching the external database 32 by the search unit 11b.

  When each of the provided image data of image numbers No. 17 to No. 19 is displayed on the display unit 23, for example, in order to clearly distinguish that the provided image data is not personal image data, it is identified on the upper left side of the screen of the display unit 23. Mark m is displayed. Thereby, the identification mark m is displayed in each provided image data of each image number No17, No18, and No19. In addition, the time interval which displays each provided image data of these image numbers No17, No18, and No19 is every time interval set beforehand, for example, or every time interval set arbitrarily.

As described above, when the reproduction of the provided image data of the image numbers No. 17 to No. 19 is completed, the individual image data of the image numbers No. 4 to No. 6 are sequentially displayed in the screen order (8) to (10). To be played.
Subsequently, before displaying the personal image data of the image number No. 7, the determination image data Q as to whether or not to provide the provided image data is displayed again on the display unit 23 in the screen order (11). Similar to the above, this judgment image data Q has, for example, the content “There is a photo received from a hotel. Do you want to play it? YES / NO”.
Here, if there is an instruction “YES” that allows the display of the provided image data by the operation of the operation unit 22 by the operator, the personal image data of the image number No7 is displayed before the display of the personal image data of the image number No7. The provided image data of the image numbers No. 13 and No. 14 belonging to the same group “B” as the group “B” to which the image belongs belong to the display unit 23 sequentially in the screen order (13) and (14).

  Each provided image data of these image numbers No. 13 and No. 14 is provided by searching the provided image data D2 of the cake store in the external database 32 by the search unit 11b. The next image number No. 14 is provided image data obtained by photographing a cake. When the provided image data of these image numbers No. 13 and No. 14 are also displayed on the display unit 23, as described above, in order to clearly distinguish that the provided image data is not personal image data, for example, the left side of the screen of the display unit 23 An identification mark m is displayed above. Thereby, the identification mark m is displayed on each provided image data of each image number No13 and No14.

  Each provided image data of each image number No. 13 and No. 14 belongs to the group “B”. Among the provided image data of image number No. 14, there is audio data of the audio number No. 1 as shown in FIG. To do. As a result, the audio reproducing unit of the recording / reproducing unit 16 reads the audio data of the audio number No. 1 with the file name “00114.wav” from the storage unit 17, decompresses the audio data, and sends it to the audio processing unit 20. The audio processing unit 20 converts the audio data expanded by the audio reproducing unit of the recording / reproducing unit 16 into an analog audio signal, outputs the analog audio signal to the speaker 21, and rings the speaker 21.

As described above, when the reproduction of the provided image data of the image numbers No. 13 and No. 14 is completed, the individual image data of the image numbers No. 7 and No. 8 are reproduced on the display unit 23 in order in the screen order (14) and (15). The
Subsequently, before displaying the personal image data with the image number No. 9, the determination image data Q as to whether or not to regenerate the provided image data is displayed on the display unit 23 in the screen order (16). Here, if there is an instruction “YES” that allows the display of the provided image data by the operation of the operation unit 22 by the operator, the personal image data of the image number No9 is displayed before the display of the personal image data of the image number No9. The provided image data of image numbers No. 22 and No. 23 belonging to the same group “C” as the group “C” to which the image belongs is sequentially interrupted and reproduced on the display unit 23 in the screen order (22) (23).

  Each of the provided image data of the image numbers No22 and No23 is provided from the provided image data D3 of the jewelry shop stored in the external database 32 by the search unit 11b. The provided image data, the next image number No. 23, is provided image data obtained by photographing a ring. When the provided image data of these image numbers No. 22 and No. 23 are also displayed on the display unit 23, the identification mark m is displayed in order to clearly distinguish that the provided image data is not personal image data.

Further, each provided image data of each image number No. 22 and No. 23 belongs to the group “C”, and among the provided image data of image number No. 23, there is audio data of the audio number No. 2 as shown in FIG. To do. As a result, the audio reproducing unit of the recording / reproducing unit 16 reads out the audio data of the audio number No. 2 with the file name “00123.wav” from the storage unit 17, decompresses the audio data, and sends it to the audio processing unit 20. The audio processing unit 20 converts the audio data expanded by the audio reproducing unit of the recording / reproducing unit 16 into an analog audio signal, outputs the analog audio signal to the speaker 21, and rings the speaker 21.
Thereafter, the slide show is continued up to the image data of the last image number as described above.

The determination image data Q is displayed every time there is provided image data belonging to the same group as the group to which the personal image data belongs. However, the determination image data Q is not limited to this, and whether or not the interrupted reproduction of the provided image data can be performed at the initial setting. May be set collectively.
The reproduction timing of the provided image data can be changed to another timing. For example, in the above description, provided image data corresponding to the personal image data is displayed before the personal image data. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the provided image data may be displayed after the personal image data. For example, the provided image data of image numbers No. 17 to No. 19 may be sequentially reproduced and displayed after the display of the personal image data of image number No. 6.

  Thus, when reproducing personal image data acquired by individual photographing, provided image data provided at a location corresponding to the personal image data is used as auxiliary image data at an appropriate timing, for example, before displaying personal image data. Or, since they are combined and played back at a later timing, even if the image could not be captured sufficiently at the location by personal shooting, the user can enjoy viewing the image. The provided image data obtained from the outside such as the external database 32 is not reproduced in isolation, but is reproduced in accordance with the personal image data at the place, so that it is possible to reproduce with story.

  Further, since the provided image data obtained from the outside can be reproduced in accordance with the personal image data without editing the reproduction timing of the provided image data and the personal image data in advance, the usability is very good. In addition, since the provided audio data is reproduced at the same time, the reproduction can further increase the effect.

  The provided image data can be reproduced by interrupting the individual image data individually, instead of reproducing only the provided image data. In this case, it is easy if timing data for programming the timing for interrupting the provided image data is prepared in advance. If such timing data is prepared by an external facility (for example, a hotel) and stored in the external database 32 so as to be able to be transmitted together with image data, it is highly usable. If such timing data is used, the camera 1 can easily realize reproduction of complicated timing.

  FIG. 6 shows an example of reproduction of each provided image data of, for example, image numbers No. 17 and No. 18 using timing data. For example, the general user may want to perform reproduction taking account of story characteristics, for example, by first reproducing the provided image data obtained by photographing the appearance of the hotel of image number No17. In this case, when the operation unit 22 is operated by a general user and the use of the timing data is selected, the reproduction control unit 11a instructs the reproduction timing of the provided image data of the image number No. 17 at the head of the group according to the timing data. To do. Thereby, the search unit 11b searches the provided image data of the image number No. 17 stored in the external database 32. Accordingly, the reproduction control unit 11a first causes the display control unit 18 to reproduce the provided image data of the image number No17 on the display unit 23 as shown in the screen order (1).

Next, the personal image data of image number No. 4 is reproduced in the screen order (2) according to the shooting date and time.
Next, the timing data is set so that the provided image data of the main dish of dinner with image number No. 18 is reproduced before and after the personal image data corresponding to the time 20:00 of the day as the shooting date. It shall be. However, the shooting date and time of the personal image data of image number No. 4 is time 14:00. The shooting date and time of the personal image data of image number No. 5 is time 21:00. Thereby, the reproduction | regeneration control part 11a reproduces | regenerates the provision image data of the main dish of the image number No18 between each personal image data of image number No4 and No5 in screen order (3).

Next, in the timing data, it is assumed that the provided image data in the guest room with the image number No. 19 is set to be reproduced at night on that day. However, the shooting date and time of the personal image data with the image number No. 6 is 9:00 on the next day. Thereby, the reproduction | regeneration control part 11a reproduces | regenerates the provision image data in the guest room of image number No19 between each individual image data of image number No5 and No6 in screen order (5).
Finally, personal image data of image number No. 6 is reproduced.

If the provided image data is reproduced in such a manner that the shooting time and timing of the personal image data are matched in accordance with the contents of the image, the sense of incongruity between the provided image data and the personal image data is reduced. In addition to assisting the shortage, it is possible to realize a more streamlined reproduction.
Although FIG. 5 shows an example in which the provided image data is displayed separately from the personal image data, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, a synthesized image may be displayed. FIG. 7 shows an example in which composite image data is created and displayed for each image data in the reproduction order (3) to (9) shown in FIG.

In the slide show shown in FIG. 4, for example, when the provided image data such as the image numbers No. 17 to No. 19 are reproduced, the determination image data Q is displayed to determine whether the provided image data is displayed.
On the other hand, the display example shown in FIG. 7 shows the existence of the provided image data by displaying composite image data obtained by combining provided image data such as image numbers No17 and No18 with personal image data of image number No4, for example. Inform. This composite image data is created by the image composition unit 18a.

Hereinafter, the image composition of the personal image data and the provided image data by the image composition unit 18a will be specifically described.
After the personal image data with the image number No. 3 is reproduced and displayed in the screen order (1), the personal image data with the image number No. 4 is reproduced and displayed in the screen order (2). For example, the provided image data of image numbers No. 17 and No. 18 are combined with the personal image data of image number No. 4 by the image combining unit 18a as the small image data a and b. The provided image data of image numbers No. 17 and No. 18 are the same group as the group “A” to which the personal image data of image number No. 4 belongs. The provided image data of image number No. 19 is excluded.

  In this state, for example, when a general user performs a selection operation on the left / right selection button provided in the operation unit 22, either provided image data of image number No 17 or No 18 is selected. That is, as shown in the screen order (2), the personal image data with the image number No. 4 is first selected. This personal image data is shown to be selected by being surrounded by a thick frame C, for example.

In this state, for example, when the right selection button is operated by a general user, the small image data a having the image number No. 17 is selected as shown in the screen order (3). By this selection, the small image data “a” having the image number No. 17 is displayed surrounded by a thick frame C.
When the general user operates the OK button provided in the operation unit 22 while the small image data a having the image number No. 17 is displayed surrounded by the selected thick frame C, the screen order (6 ), The small image data a having the image number No. 17 is enlarged and displayed in place of the personal image data having the image number No. 4. An identification mark m representing the provided image data is displayed in the enlarged personal image data of image number No. 17. At the same time, the personal image data of image number No. 4 is reduced and displayed as child image data e.

  When the right selection button is operated, for example, by a general user while the personal image data with the image number No. 17 is enlarged and displayed, the small image data b with the image number No. 18 is displayed as shown in the screen order (7). The enlarged image is displayed instead of the personal image data of image number No17. An identification mark m representing the provided image data is also displayed on the provided image data of the enlarged image number No. 18. Also at this time, the personal image data of the image number No. 4 is reduced and displayed as the child image data e.

  Next, when the right image selection button is operated, for example, by a general user while the provided image data of the image number No. 18 is being enlarged, the personal image data of the image number No. 4 is displayed as shown in the screen order (5). The display of the child image data e is canceled.

  On the other hand, when the small image data b is selected by the operation of the left and right buttons by the general user in the display state shown in the screen order (3), the small image data b is displayed in the thick frame C as shown in the screen order (4). It is displayed surrounded by. Here, when the OK button is operated, the provided image data of the image number No. 18 as the small image data b is enlarged and displayed instead of the personal image data of the image number No. 4 as shown in the screen order (7). At the same time, the personal image data of image number No. 4 is reduced and displayed as child image data e.

  When the OK button is operated while the provided image data with the image number No. 18 is enlarged as shown in the screen order (7), the personal image data with the image number No. 4 is displayed as shown in the screen order (5). Returning to the display, the display of the child image data e is canceled.

When the OK button is pressed while the personal image data of image number No. 4 is displayed as shown in screen order (2), only the personal image data of image number No. 4 is shown as shown in screen order (5). The display switches to. Thereafter, the display is automatically switched to the display of the personal image data in the screen order (9) at the normal slide show timing.
As described above, the provided image data is combined with the personal image data by the image combining unit 18a and displayed as the combined image data. Therefore, the display of the provided image data can be selected without displaying the judgment image data Q. Can do.

Next, the combined reproduction operation of the personal image data and the provided image data in the camera 1 configured as described above will be described.
The combination reproduction processing of the personal image data and the provided image data mainly includes the control unit 11, the reproduction control unit 11a, the search unit 11b, the recording / reproduction unit 16, the display control unit 18, and the image composition unit 18a. And executed by the communication unit 21.

FIG. 8 shows a flowchart of a procedure for obtaining provided image data from each external facility.
The camera 1 is set to the communication mode and is connected to the network 30 and is accessible to the external server 31.
Here, there are two methods for obtaining the provided image data. In the first method, when personal image data is designated, for example, a store or a facility linked from the location of the designated personal image data is automatically detected, and provided image data is automatically provided from the detected eg store. Get In the second method, the operator (general user) obtains the provided image data manually.

  First, the operator (general user) operates the operation unit 22 to select the first method or the second method as a method for obtaining the provided image data. Here, when the method of obtaining the provided image data by linking the external facility from the personal image data, which is the first method, is selected, the control unit 11 links the external facility from the personal image data in step S11. The first method for obtaining the provided image data is determined to be selected, and the process proceeds to step S12 where the operator receives an operation on the operation unit 22 and searches for an external facility on the display screen of the display unit 23. Identify image data.

Next, in step S <b> 13, the search unit 11 b reads position information attached to the specified personal image data from the storage unit 17, and issues a call instruction for an external facility corresponding to this position information from the communication unit 21 through the network 30. Send to external server 31.
The external server 31 accesses the external database 32 and searches for an external facility that matches or approximates the positional information attached to the personal image data specified from the external database 32. The external server 31 returns data (provided data) provided from the searched external facility to the camera 1 through the network 30. The provided data from the external server 31 includes provided image data, audio data, program data that defines the display order of the provided image data, and the like.

  The communication unit 21 of the camera 1 receives the provision data returned from the external server 31 in step S17. Of the provided data, provided image data is displayed on the display unit 23 for confirmation by the display control unit 18. At the same time, the recording / reproducing unit 16 stores the provided image data, audio data, program data for defining the display order of the provided image data, and the like in the storage unit 17 in step S18.

  Although the image data provided by a predetermined external facility is automatically returned from the external server 31, the external server 31 is not limited to this, and the external server 31 searches the home page of the external facility and displays information about the home page as a camera. 1 may be transmitted. The camera 1 searches the home page of the external facility based on the information on the home page of the external facility sent from the external server 31, and displays the home page on the display unit 23 by the display control unit 18. Then, the operator views the homepage of the corresponding external facility displayed on the camera 1 and operates the operation unit 22 to select the provided image data or the like desired by the operator. The selected provided image data or the like is sent from the communication unit 21 to the external server 31 through the network 30 by the control unit 11.

The external server 31 returns provided data including the selected provided image data to the camera 1 through the network 30. The provided data from the external server 31 includes provided image data, audio data, program data that defines the display order of the provided image data, and the like, as described above.
In the same manner as described above, the communication unit 21 of the camera 1 receives the provision data including the selected provision image data transmitted from the external server 31 in step S17. Of the provided data, provided image data is displayed on the display unit 23 for confirmation by the display control unit 18. At the same time, the recording / reproducing unit 16 stores the provided image data, audio data, program data for defining the display order of the provided image data, and the like in the storage unit 17 in step S18.

  On the other hand, when the search unit 11b determines in step S11 that the second method of specifying and accessing the external facility directly from the operator is selected, the search unit 11b moves to step S14 and specifies the direct external facility from the operator. An instruction to do so is sent from the communication unit 21 to the external server 31 through the network 30. As a result, the external server 31 returns a list of external facilities to the camera 1 through the network 30.

  The camera 1 causes the display control unit 18 to display a list of external facilities returned from the external server 31 on the display unit 23. The operator who sees this specifies the desired external facility from the list of external facilities displayed on the display unit 23 by operating the operation unit 22. Thereby, the search part 11b accesses the external server 31 via the network 30 from the communication part 21 in step S14, and searches the homepage of the designated external facility. In step S15, the search unit 11a accesses the external server 31 to obtain information on the homepage of the external facility, and the display control unit 18 displays the homepage of the external facility on the display unit 23.

  In a state where the home page of the external facility is displayed, the operator selects provided image data or the like from the home page by operating the operation unit 22. As a result, when the control unit 11 receives an operation of the operation unit 22 in step S16 and receives selection of provided image data or the like on the homepage, the control unit 11 receives the selection sent from the external server 31 in the next step S17. Provided data including provided image data and the like is received. Of the provided data, provided image data is displayed on the display unit 23 for confirmation by the display control unit 18. At the same time, the recording / reproducing unit 16 stores the provided image data, audio data, program data for defining the display order of the provided image data, and the like in the storage unit 17 in step S18.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart for explaining the procedure of operation processing in the reproduction mode.
The camera 1 is set to the playback mode. In step S21, the control unit 11 determines whether a slide show has been selected. If the slide show is not selected as a result of this determination, the control unit 11 proceeds to step S22 and waits for whether or not image data has been selected by the operator as a normal playback mode. In this state, when the image data of the personal image data or the provided image data is selected by the operator's operation on the operation unit 22, the reproduction control unit 11 a moves to step S 23 and stores the selected image data from the storage unit 17. The image data is read out and reproduced on the display unit 23 by the display control unit 18. In step S24, the playback control unit 11a ends the playback mode when receiving an end instruction by the operator's operation on the operation unit 22.

  On the other hand, when the control unit 11 determines in step S21 that the slide show has been selected, the control unit 11 proceeds to step S25 and waits for an input of a start instruction by an operation on the operation unit 22 by the operator. When a slide show start instruction is input, the control unit 11 proceeds to step S26 and executes a slide show process.

FIG. 10 shows a flowchart of a subroutine of the slide show process.
Here, the selection of whether or not to provide the provided image data, the selection of whether to allow the interruption of the provided image data at the time of single frame display, or the selection to be made every time, and the display form of the provided image data The selection of either single frame display or composite display is set by operating the operation unit 22 on the slide show condition setting screen displayed in advance on the display unit 23.
In the following description, provided image data is representatively described as provided data for simplicity of explanation. If there is audio data, the audio data and provided image data are reproduced at the same time, or only audio data is reproduced alone. And

The reproduction control unit 11a reads image data from the storage unit 16 in step S31. At this time, when the slide show is started, the reproduction control unit 11a starts reading from the personal image data of the image number No. 1 shown in FIG. 2, for example, unless otherwise specified.
Next, in step S32, the reproduction control unit 11a determines whether there is provided image data corresponding to the personal image data with the image number No1. That is, the reproduction control unit 11a searches the storage unit 17 to determine whether there is provided image data corresponding to the personal image data with the image number No1, and for example, one or a plurality of the corresponding provided image data is present. If it exists, it is determined whether or not the provided image data is at a position that is the same as or close to the shooting location of the personal image data of image number No1.

  As a result of this determination, if there is no provided image data corresponding to the personal image data with the image number No1, the reproduction control unit 11a moves to step S33 and the display control unit 18 displays only the personal image data with the image number No1. Displayed on the unit 23.

On the other hand, if the provided image data corresponding to the personal image data of the image number No1 exists and the position is the same as or close to the shooting location of the personal image data of the image number No1, the reproduction control unit 11a proceeds to step S34. Then, it is determined whether or not the display mode of the provided image data is set.
As a result of this determination, if the display mode of the provided image data is set, the reproduction control unit 11a moves to step S35, where the interruption of the provided image data is set to either automatic interruption or selected each time. Judgment is made. Note that the example of the order in which the image data shown in FIG. 5 is reproduced by the slide show shows a case where the interruption of the provided image data is selected each time. However, when composite display is selected as the display mode, it is assumed that automatic permission is set for interruption of provided image data.

If the automatic interruption is not set, the reproduction control unit 11a moves to step S36 and displays the judgment image data Q on the display unit 23 as shown in, for example, the screen order (4) shown in FIG. . Next, in step S37, the control unit 11 determines whether interruption of the provided image data is permitted on the screen on which the determination image data Q is displayed. If it is determined that the interruption is permitted, the control unit 11 proceeds to step S38.
If the automatic interrupt is set, the control unit 11 jumps from step S35 to step S38.

  Note that, as a result of the determination in step S32, the reproduction control unit 11a does not store the provided image data corresponding to the personal image data as described above, or provides the provided image data as a result of the determination in step S34. If the mode is not set to the mode for displaying or if the interruption of the provided image data is not permitted as a result of the determination in step S37, the process proceeds to step S33, where only the personal image data is switched over for a certain period of time. Play for hours. After reproducing only the personal image data for a certain period of time, the reproduction control unit 11a proceeds to step S48.

Next, the reproduction control unit 11a determines whether or not single frame display is selected as the display form in step S38. As a result of this determination, if single frame display is selected, the search unit 11b moves to step S39, and the group “A” corresponding to the provided image data corresponding to the personal image data, for example, the personal image data of the image number No4. The provided image data of the image number No. 17 belonging to is read from the storage unit 17. In step S40, the reproduction control unit 11a controls the display control unit 18 to reproduce the provided image data having the image number No. 17 on the display unit 23.
At this time, the display control unit 18 determines whether or not there is an end instruction in step S41, and determines whether or not a fixed time has elapsed, for example, 2 seconds, in the next step S42. Thereby, if there is no termination instruction, the display control unit 18 continuously reproduces the provided image data of, for example, image number No. 17 on the display unit 23 until, for example, 2 seconds elapse.
If there is an end instruction from the operator while the provided image data of image number No. 17 is being reproduced, the control unit 11 ends the slide show process.

The provided image data of image number No. 17 is continuously reproduced on the display unit 23, and when a predetermined time elapses, for example, 2 seconds elapses, the reproduction control unit 11a moves from step S42 to step S43, and the provided image data of image number No. 17 It is determined whether or not it is the last provided image data belonging to the group “A”. As a result of this determination, if it is not the last provided image data, the reproduction control unit 11a returns to step S39 and reads provided image data of image number No. 18 belonging to the group “A”, for example. Accordingly, the reproduction control unit 11a executes steps S40 to S42 again, and continuously reproduces the provided image data of, for example, the image number No. 18 on the display unit 23 until a predetermined time, for example, 2 seconds elapses.
If it is the last provided image data, the reproduction control unit 11a proceeds from step S43 to step S44, reproduces the personal image data read in step S, and proceeds to the next step S48.

On the other hand, when composite display instead of single frame display is selected as the display form, the search unit 11b proceeds from step S38 to step S45, and for example, image numbers belonging to the group “A” corresponding to the personal image data of image number No4 The provided image data of No. 17 is read from the storage unit 17.
Next, in step S47, the composite image unit 18a, for example, the personal image data of image number No. 4 read in step S31 and the personal image data of image number No. 4 read in step S45, for example, image number No. 17, Composite image data with each provided image data of No. 18 is created. The composite image unit 18a displays composite image data obtained by combining the provided image data such as the image numbers No17 and No18 with the personal image data such as the image number No4 as shown in FIG. Inform the existence of The creation of the composite image data according to the reproduction order (3) to (9) shown in FIG. 7 is as described above.

  Next, in step S48, the reproduction control unit 11a determines whether or not the currently displayed personal image data is the last personal image data stored in the storage unit 17, and uses the last personal image data as the last personal image data. If there is, the slide show process ends. If there is more personal image data, the control unit 11 returns to step S31, reads the personal image data of the next image number, and repeats the above processing again.

  As described above, according to the embodiment, during the reproduction of the personal image data, the provided image data related to the personal image data at least at the shooting location, for example, the same as the shooting location where the personal image data was acquired or the individual Since the provided image data captured in the vicinity of the photographing location where the image data was acquired is reproduced as auxiliary image data, two different types of image data of personal image data and provided image data are combined at an appropriate timing. Can play. Thus, it is possible to enjoy the image more than to see only one type of image. The provided image data is obtained from various information on homepages of external facilities such as sightseeing spots, art museums, museums, hotels, shops, etc. by accessing the external database 32, for example. There are significant advantages for companies that supply image data.

  However, it is possible to appropriately combine and reproduce the personal image data acquired by the general user himself / herself and the provided image data provided from the tourist facility through the network 30 or the like. In this case, it is not necessary to perform an editing process such as rearrangement for combining the personal image data acquired by photographing of the general user with the image editing apparatus or the like and the provided image data provided from the tourist facility. Therefore, it is possible to reproduce the personal image data and the provided image data acquired by the photographing of the general user at an appropriate timing without taking time and effort.

  Further, when reproducing personal image data, the provided image data provided at a location corresponding to the personal image data is combined as auxiliary image data at an appropriate timing, for example, at a timing before or after display of the personal image data. Since it is played back, even if it is not possible to shoot sufficiently at the location due to personal shooting, you can enjoy watching the image. The provided image data obtained from the outside such as the external database 32 is not reproduced in isolation, but is reproduced in accordance with the personal image data at the place, so that it is possible to reproduce with story.

  Further, since the provided image data obtained from the outside can be reproduced in accordance with the personal image data without editing the reproduction timing of the provided image data and the personal image data in advance, the usability is very good. In addition, since the provided audio data is reproduced at the same time, the reproduction can further increase the effect. Furthermore, it is possible to reproduce the provided image data by individually interrupting the provided image data instead of reproducing the provided image data alone. In this case, it is easy if timing data for programming the timing for interrupting the provided image data is prepared in advance. If such timing data is prepared by an external facility (for example, a hotel) and stored in the external database 32 so as to be able to be transmitted together with image data, it is highly usable. If such timing data is used, the camera 1 can easily realize reproduction of complicated timing.

Further, since the provided image data is synthesized with the personal image data by the image synthesizing unit 18a and displayed as the synthesized image data, the display of the provided image data can be selected and operated without displaying the judgment image data Q. .
In order to clearly distinguish the provided image data from the provided image data, not the personal image data, for example, an identification mark m is displayed on the upper left side of the screen of the display unit 23, so that the currently displayed image data is personal. Whether it is image data or provided image data can be easily identified.

In addition, this invention is not limited to the said one Embodiment, You may deform | transform as follows.
For example, image data acquired by photographing of an individual (general user) is used as personal image data, for example, image data provided from a business operator (external facility) is provided image data, and the combined reproduction of these image data is described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and image data acquired by photographing by another photographer different from the individual (general user) may be combined and reproduced. Further, the provided image data is not limited to one, and two or more types of provided image data may be combined, so that even if one personal image data and two or more types of provided image data are combined, reproduction is performed. It may be.

The slide show has been described as a representative example of the form of image reproduction. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and is applied to the reproduction order during normal one-frame reproduction, and personal image data before and after the reproduction of personal image data. Of course, the provided image data taken at or near the same shooting location may be reproduced.
The image data has been described by taking still image data as an example, but it can be similarly applied to moving image data.
The provided image data is obtained from the external database 32 via the network 30. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and various external devices other than the camera 1, such as cameras other than the camera 1, personal computers, image editing devices, It may be obtained from an external memory or the like.

On the other hand, each process of the control unit 11 is not limited to being realized by software such as an image reproduction program, but may be partially or entirely configured by hardware. The image composition unit 18a described as hardware may be configured by software. These specific configurations are design matters.
Each control process by the control unit 11 is realized by the control unit 11 executing a software program stored in the ROM 13. Therefore, the software program itself realizes the function of the control unit 11.

  As a recording medium, besides a flash memory, an optical recording medium such as a CD-ROM or DVD, a magnetic recording medium such as an MD, a tape medium, a semiconductor memory such as an IC card, or the like can be used. In this embodiment, the example applied to the digital camera has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the present invention may be applied as a mobile phone camera or an image reproducing apparatus alone.

  Furthermore, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment as it is, and can be embodied by modifying the constituent elements without departing from the scope of the invention in the implementation stage. In addition, various inventions can be formed by appropriately combining a plurality of components disclosed in the embodiment. For example, some components may be deleted from all the components shown in the embodiment. Furthermore, constituent elements over different embodiments may be appropriately combined.

1 is a block configuration diagram showing an embodiment of a camera to which an image reproduction apparatus according to the present invention is applied. The schematic diagram which shows the content of the image data memorize | stored in the memory | storage part in the same apparatus. The figure for demonstrating the group of the image data memorize | stored in the memory | storage part in the same apparatus. The schematic diagram which shows the content of a part of audio | voice data memorize | stored in the memory | storage part in the same apparatus. The schematic diagram which shows the order when reproducing | regenerating each image data by the same apparatus by a slide show. The figure which shows the example of reproduction | regeneration of each provision image data using the timing data by the apparatus. The figure which shows the example which produced and displayed synthetic | combination image data with the same apparatus. The flowchart which shows the procedure which acquires provision image data from each external facility in the apparatus. The flowchart explaining the procedure of the operation process in the reproduction | regeneration mode in the same apparatus. The figure which shows the flowchart of the subroutine of the slide show process in the same apparatus.

Explanation of symbols

  1: camera, 11: control unit, 12: bus line, 13: ROM, 14: imaging unit, 15: RAM, 16: recording / playback unit, 17: storage unit, 18: display control unit, 19: position detection unit, 20: voice processing unit, 21: communication unit, 22: operation unit, 23: display unit, 24: speaker, 30: network, 31: external server, 32: external database.

Claims (16)

In an image reproduction device for reproducing first image data,
Second image data taken by a different photographer at a relevant shooting location for the first image data is related to the first image data as auxiliary image data for assisting the first image data. Playback control unit that plays in order,
An image reproducing apparatus comprising:   The reproduction control unit uses, as the auxiliary image data, the second image data that is taken in the vicinity of the shooting location where the first image data is acquired or near the shooting location where the first image data is acquired. The image reproducing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein: A storage medium for storing at least the first and second image data;
A retrieval unit that retrieves, as the auxiliary image data, the second image data that coincides with the photographing location of the first image data from the storage medium or is photographed in the vicinity of the photographing location of the first image data; ,
The image reproducing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: The storage medium stores group information indicating that the first image data and the second image data are photographed at least at the same photographing location or near each other,
The reproduction control unit reproduces the second image data related to at least a shooting location as the auxiliary image data with respect to the first image data based on the group information stored in the storage medium.
The image reproduction apparatus according to claim 3. A storage medium storing at least the first and second image data;
A communication unit capable of communicating with an external database in which the second image data is stored;
A recording / reproducing unit for storing the second image data obtained from the external database by the communication unit in the storage medium;
The image reproducing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising:   The reproduction control unit sets an order of reproducing the auxiliary image data related to the first image data, either before or after the reproduction of the first image data. 2. The image reproducing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein   When the reproduction control unit continuously reproduces a plurality of the first image data by a slide show, the reproduction control unit continuously performs the first image data and the auxiliary image data related to the first image data. The image reproducing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image reproducing apparatus reproduces the image. An image composition unit that reduces at least one auxiliary image data and composes the reduced auxiliary image data with the first image data to create composite image data;
The reproduction control unit reproduces the composite image data created by the image composition unit;
The image reproducing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein: When the reduced auxiliary image data is selected, the image composition unit enlarges the second image data which is the selected auxiliary image data, and reduces the first image data. Created composite image data,
The reproduction control unit creates the composite image data created by the image synthesis unit;
The image reproducing apparatus according to claim 8, wherein:   2. The image reproduction apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the reproduction control unit reproduces the audio data in an order related to the first image data when audio data is provided corresponding to the auxiliary image data. .   11. The image reproduction according to claim 10, wherein when the audio data is attached to the auxiliary image data, the reproduction control unit reproduces the auxiliary image data and reproduces the audio data as audio. apparatus. The first image data is image data taken by a general user, and the second image data is image data provided by a business operator.
The image reproducing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein:   2. The image reproduction according to claim 1, wherein the reproduction control unit determines a reproduction timing of the auxiliary image data based on a shooting date and time of the first image data and information attached to the auxiliary image data. apparatus.   The image reproduction apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the reproduction control unit attaches an identification code for identifying the auxiliary image data to the second image data. In an image reproduction method for reproducing image data in a predetermined order,
During the reproduction of the first image data taken by a general user, the first image data is assisted by the second image data provided by the operator with the shooting location related to the first image data. Playing back as auxiliary image data in the order related to the first image data,
An image reproduction method characterized by the above. In an image reproduction program executed by a computer and for reproducing image data in a predetermined order,
During the reproduction of the first image data taken by a general user, the first image data is assisted by the second image data provided by the operator with the shooting location related to the first image data. Playing back as auxiliary image data in the order related to the first image data,
An image reproduction program characterized by that.

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