JP2010220114A - Imaging apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To enable a user to promptly retrieve desired image data by easily knowing an imaging position in simple configuration. <P>SOLUTION: The imaging apparatus 110 includes: a range holding section 228 capable of holding range information 276 indicative of a geographical range 304; an imaging section 210; a storage control section 270; a position acquiring section 230 for acquiring positional information indicating a position of the imaging apparatus; and an index generating section 272 which generates, when the position gets out of the geographical range indicated in the range information, range information indicating a new geographical range including the position, a map image 268 with which the new geographical range can be specified, and index information 266 associating a storage starting point 354 of image data 264 generated within the new geographical range with the map image, stores the map image and the index information in an imaging storage section 222, and updates the range information in the range holding section into the newly generated range information. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an imaging device capable of imaging a subject and generating image data.

  In recent years, the capacity of storage media for storing image data mounted on imaging devices such as digital still cameras and digital video cameras has been increasing, and it has become possible to capture many photographs and long-time videos. became. On the other hand, the more imaged image data is, the more difficult it is to find desired image data. In order to facilitate the retrieval of image data after such imaging, the user (imaging person) can manually set the storage start point (delimiter position) for cueing image data during imaging. There is an imaging device having However, when trying to effectively use the above-described manual setting function in such an imaging apparatus, the user is often distracted by the timing for setting the storage start point, and often cannot concentrate on imaging.

  Therefore, during imaging, an imaging device that marks the captured image information at a point in time after the distance between the position detected at the previous marking timing and the current position exceeds a certain distance is proposed. (For example, Patent Document 1).

  The captured image and positioning data from a GPS (Global Positioning System) receiver are stored in association with each other, and when the user searches for a captured image stored in the past, a map is displayed. When an arbitrary position on the map is specified, a search system that searches for positioning data that matches the position data of the specified position and outputs a captured image corresponding to the positioning data has been proposed (for example, Patent Document 2).

JP 2007-81594 A Japanese Patent No. 2943263

  When the imaging apparatus described in Patent Document 1 is used, marking is automatically performed by moving a certain amount or more from the position where the previous marking is performed, even if the user does not set the storage start point himself. However, in such a technique, the position information is only used for determining the timing of marking, and since the position information is not used as an index for marking, the marking is not performed when the user searches for image data. The reason why it was applied could not be understood, and the position information could not be used as a key.

  In the case of the search system described in Patent Document 2, the user can search for image data generated at the position by designating an arbitrary position on the map through a pointing device. However, since an index for identifying the imaged location is not shown on the map, the user must accurately remember the imaged location when searching for image data. It was necessary to know exactly where it was. Further, when the imaging location is wide, for example, outside the prefecture or overseas, the range of the entire stored positioning data becomes large, and a situation has occurred in which the imaging location is not included in the displayed map. Even if the scale of the map can be changed to be small so that all imaging locations are displayed, the operation becomes complicated accordingly, and the location to be designated on such a small scale map is also small. As a result, the user cannot designate an accurate position, and image data at a position different from the desired position may be detected. Furthermore, since this technique requires a highly accurate map image at the time of search, a special device must be prepared in order to realize the search function for the image data, which increases the cost. It was.

  In view of the above problems, an object of the present invention is to provide an imaging apparatus that allows a user to easily grasp an imaging position and quickly search for desired image data with a simple configuration. It is said.

  In order to solve the above-described problems, an imaging apparatus according to the present invention is an imaging apparatus that captures a subject, a range holding unit capable of holding range information indicating a geographical range, and imaging the subject to generate image data. An imaging unit that performs storage, a storage control unit that stores image data in the imaging storage unit, a position acquisition unit that acquires position information indicating the position of the imaging device, and a geographical range in which the position indicated by the position information is indicated in the range information When it becomes outside, range information indicating a new geographical range including the position indicated in the position information, an index image that can specify the new geographical range, and storage of image data generated in the new geographical range Index information for associating the start point with the index image is generated, the index image and the index information are stored in the imaging storage unit, and the range information of the range holding unit is newly generated. Characterized in that it comprises a index generator for updating the information.

  The index information that associates the storage start point of the image data with the index image is generated at the time of imaging, so that the user can create an index that is generated in advance without using a highly accurate map image or the like when searching for image data. The imaging position can be easily grasped simply by referring to the image. In addition, since the index information is generated for each geographical range and the image data is grouped, the user can store only a rough position at the time of imaging, based on the index image first when searching for the image data. Thus, the search range of the desired image data can be narrowed down, so that it is possible to find the desired image data from among the narrowed down image data. In other words, the user can search for image data quickly and efficiently.

  The index image may be a map image corresponding to the geographical range indicated by the range information. By using the map image as the index image, the user can easily associate the rough imaging position stored by the user with the index information by visually recognizing the map image as the index image. Image data can be searched quickly.

  The imaging apparatus may further include an imaging position superimposing unit that superimposes an index indicating the imaging position of the imaging apparatus at a position on the map image generated immediately before that corresponds to the position indicated by the position information.

  For example, even when there are a plurality of similar map images as the index image, the index indicating the imaging position of the imaging device is sequentially superimposed on the index image generated immediately before. The movement trajectory can be visually recognized by the user. Therefore, the user can specify the index image associated with the desired image data based on the movement trajectory, and can search the image data more quickly.

  The index generation unit generates range information, an index image, and index information even when a predetermined time has elapsed since the last index update, stores the index image and the index information in the imaging storage unit, and maintains the range. The range information of the part may be updated to the newly generated range information.

  With this configuration, it is possible to generate the index image and the index information appropriately not only by the moving distance but also by the passage of time, and the user can use the index image generated at every predetermined time as described above. Data can be retrieved more quickly.

  The index generation unit generates the range information, the index image, and the index information even when the range holding unit has not yet held the range information, and stores the index image and the index information in the imaging storage unit, The newly generated range information may be held in the range holding unit.

  When the user uses the imaging apparatus of the present invention for the first time or resets to the setting at the time of purchase, the imaging apparatus does not hold the range information. With this configuration, even if the range information is not held, the initial value of the range information can be set, and an appropriate operation by the subsequent index generation unit can be ensured.

  In the present invention, with a simple configuration, the user can easily grasp the imaging position and can quickly search for desired image data.

It is the schematic diagram which showed the schematic structure of the imaging system concerning this embodiment. It is the external view which showed an example of the imaging device concerning this embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the imaging device concerning this embodiment. It is explanatory drawing explaining the range information and map image concerning this embodiment. It is explanatory drawing explaining the index information concerning this embodiment. It is the flowchart which showed the flow of the specific process of the imaging method concerning this embodiment. It is the flowchart which showed the flow of the specific process of the range determination process of the imaging method in FIG. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the image reproduction apparatus concerning this embodiment. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating grouping of the image data by the map image concerning this embodiment. It is the flowchart which showed the specific process of the image reproduction method concerning this embodiment.

  Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. The dimensions, materials, and other specific numerical values shown in the embodiment are merely examples for facilitating understanding of the invention, and do not limit the present invention unless otherwise specified. In the present specification and drawings, elements having substantially the same function and configuration are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant description is omitted, and elements not directly related to the present invention are not illustrated. To do.

  In the present embodiment, when a user searches for desired image data from a plurality of image data captured using an imaging device, the user can easily grasp the captured imaging position and quickly search for desired image data. An object of the present invention is to provide a simple imaging device. Here, in order to facilitate understanding, the imaging system of the present embodiment will be described first, and then the imaging device, the imaging method, the image playback device, and the image playback method will be described in detail.

(Imaging system 100)
FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of an imaging system 100 according to the present embodiment. The imaging system 100 includes an imaging device 110, a writer device 120, an image playback device 130, and a monitor 140.

  In such an imaging system 100, the imaging device 110 images a subject in response to a user operation input, and generates and stores image data. When the imaging is completed, the user transmits one or a plurality of image data stored in the imaging device 110 to the writer device 120 through a cable and causes the writer device 120 to store the image data in the removable storage medium 150. Then, the image reproduction device 130 reads out the image data from the removable storage medium 150 in accordance with a user operation input, converts the image data into an image signal, and displays the image data on the monitor 140. Here, as the removable storage medium 150, a medium requiring no power source such as a DVD (Digital Versatile Disk) or a BD (Blu-ray Disc), or a medium requiring a power source such as a RAM, an EEPROM, a nonvolatile RAM, a flash memory, or an HDD is applied. can do.

  The imaging apparatus 110 according to the present embodiment generates an image data each time an image is input in response to an operation input for starting and ending imaging by the user, and an index for grouping the generated one or more image data. Generate information. Then, when the user tries to search for image data, the image reproduction device 130 causes the user to search for image data through the index information generated by the imaging device 110. Such index information will be described in detail in the description of the imaging device 110 below.

(Imaging device 110)
FIG. 2 is an external view showing an example of the imaging apparatus 110 according to the present embodiment. In the present embodiment, a digital video camera will be described as the imaging device 110. However, the present invention is not limited to this. It can also be applied.

  As shown in FIG. 2, in the present embodiment, the imaging device 110 includes a main body 200, an imaging lens 202, an imaging operation key 204, and an image display unit 206.

  The main body 200 receives user operation input, adjusts its storage timing and angle of view, and stores image data captured and generated through the imaging lens 202 so that it can be re-viewed (reproduced). The main body 200 can also automatically adjust the focus and exposure of a desired subject to a desired value. The image display unit 206 includes a liquid crystal display, an organic EL (Electro Luminescence) display, and the like, and displays an image corresponding to stored image data. The user can grasp the subject at a desired position and size while referring to the image displayed on the image display unit 206.

  FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of the imaging apparatus 110 according to the present embodiment. The imaging device 110 includes an imaging operation key 204, an image display unit 206, an imaging unit 210, an audio input unit 212, an imaging data processing unit 214, an imaging buffer 216, a captured image encoding unit 218, and a captured image. The decoding unit 220 includes an imaging storage unit 222, an image output unit 224, an RTC (Real Time Clock) unit 226, a range holding unit 228, a position acquisition unit 230, and an imaging control unit 232. .

  The imaging unit 210 captures a subject through the imaging lens 202 and generates image data. Specifically, the imaging unit 210 includes a focus lens 240 used for focus adjustment, a diaphragm 242 used for exposure adjustment, and an imaging circuit (imaging device such as a CCD (Charge Coupled) that converts light incident through the imaging lens 202 into an electrical signal. Device Image Sensor)) 244, a focus lens 240, and a drive circuit 246 for driving the diaphragm 242. Image data captured by the image capturing unit 210 is transmitted to the image capturing data processing unit 214.

  The voice input unit 212 corrects the voice collected by the microphone 250 by the voice processing circuit 252 and converts it into voice data that can be processed in the main body 200. The sound data collected by the sound input unit 212 is transmitted to the imaging data processing unit 214.

  The imaging data processing unit 214 performs predetermined image processing such as gamma correction and knee correction on the image data transmitted from the imaging unit 210, and the image data subjected to such image processing and the audio transmitted from the audio input unit 212. In synchronization with the data, image data including audio data is generated and output to the imaging buffer 216. In parallel, the imaging data processing unit 214 superimposes various information such as the state of the imaging device 110 on the generated image data, converts the information into an image signal, and causes the image display unit 206 to display the image signal.

  The imaging buffer 216 is configured by a memory such as SRAM (Static-RAM) or SDRAM (Synchronous-DRAM), and temporarily stores the image data transmitted from the imaging data processing unit 214 and the captured image decoding unit 220. The captured image encoding unit 218 converts the image data temporarily stored in the imaging buffer 216 into M-JPEG, MPEG-2, H.264, or the like. It is encoded by a predetermined encoding method such as H.264 and transmitted to the imaging storage unit 222. The captured image decoding unit 220 reads the encoded image data 264 stored in the imaging storage unit 222 in accordance with a user operation input, decodes the decoded image data 264, and transmits the decoded image data 264 to the imaging buffer 216. The image signal is converted into an image signal and displayed on the image display unit 206.

  The imaging storage unit 222 includes an HDD, an EEPROM, a non-volatile RAM, a flash memory, and the like, and a program 260 processed by the imaging control unit 232 and a map of an arbitrary region used for generating an index image are cut out. Possible map data 262 is stored. In the present embodiment, the map data 262 is stored in the imaging storage unit 222. However, the map data 262 is not limited to this case, and can be acquired from an external data server as necessary.

  Furthermore, the imaging storage unit 222 stores the image data 264 supplied from the captured image encoding unit 218 according to the control by the storage control unit 270, and the index information 266 according to the control by the index generation unit 272. The map image 268 is stored. The storage control unit 270, the index generation unit 272, the index information 266, and the map image 268 will be described in detail later. Further, instead of the imaging storage unit 222, an external storage medium that can be connected to the main body 200 can be used.

  The image output unit 224 outputs the image data 264 to, for example, the writer device 120 through a video / audio input / output terminal such as a D terminal or an HDMI terminal.

  The RTC unit 226 receives the power supply from the built-in battery, measures the time referred to by the imaging control unit 232, and specifies the current time. The RTC unit 226 may measure time in a self-propelled manner with a crystal oscillator, or may extract time information TOT (Time Offset Table) from SI transmitted through broadcast radio waves and hold the time. Further, the RTC unit 226 may hold a time obtained from a communication network such as the Internet.

  Similar to the imaging buffer 216, the range holding unit 228 is configured by a memory such as SRAM or SDRAM, and holds range information 276 indicating a geographical range generated by an index generation unit 272 described later. In the present embodiment, the range information 276 held in the range holding unit 228 that is a volatile memory is once erased when the power of the imaging device 110 is turned off. It is read again from the latest index information 266, which will be described later, stored in the unit 222.

  The position acquisition unit 230 receives a radio signal from the GPS satellite 160, acquires position information indicating the position of the imaging device 110, and transmits the position information to an index generation unit 272 described later. The position acquisition unit 230 can acquire a radio signal from the GPS satellite 160 approximately every 1 second. However, after acquiring the position information immediately after the imaging is started, the other components of the imaging device 110 are obtained. In accordance with the processing speed, the position information is transmitted to the index generation unit 272 every 10 seconds, which is a sampling period.

  However, when imaging is started by a user operation input, the position acquisition unit 230 immediately acquires position information without waiting for 10 seconds and transmits the position information to the index generation unit 272.

  The imaging control unit 232 obtains time information from the RTC unit 226 according to a program 260 stored in the imaging storage unit 222 by a semiconductor integrated circuit including a central processing unit (CPU) and a signal processing unit (DSP: Digital Signal Processor). The entire imaging device 110 is managed and controlled with reference to FIG. For example, when there is an operation input for starting imaging from the user through the imaging operation key 204, the imaging control unit 232 causes the imaging unit 210 to generate image data until there is an operation input for ending imaging.

  In addition, the imaging control unit 232 also functions as a storage control unit 270, an index generation unit 272, and an imaging position superimposing unit 274. The storage control unit 270 stores the image data 264 encoded by the captured image encoding unit 218 in the imaging storage unit 222.

  When the range information 276 is not held in the range holding unit 228 or the position indicated by the position information acquired by the position acquisition unit 230 is out of the geographical range indicated by the range information 276, the index generation unit 272 At this time, range information 276 indicating a new geographical range including the position indicated by the position information and an index image capable of specifying the new geographical range are generated.

  FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the range information 276 and the map image 268 (268a, 268b, 268c) according to the present embodiment. A map 300 illustrated in FIG. 4A is a part of a map represented by map data 262 stored in the imaging storage unit 222. For example, when the user starts imaging for the first time using the imaging device 110 at the position 302 shown in the map 300, the storage control unit 270 sequentially stores the newly generated image data 264 in the imaging storage unit 222 to acquire the position. The unit 230 acquires position information of the imaging device 110. Then, the index generation unit 272 confirms that the range information 276 is not yet held in the range holding unit 228, that is, confirms that the index information 266 related to the imaging has not been generated, and the index information 266 To generate the range information 276 indicating the geographical range 304a including the position indicated in the position information acquired at the start of imaging.

  Here, a part of the city map is used as the map image 268. However, the map image 268 is not limited to such a case. For example, the map is drawn with an emphasis on a specific theme or a general map drawn with no theme. It is possible to apply an image that can roughly specify the imaging position, such as a tourist map, a cultural property distribution map, a road map, and various statistical maps.

  In the present embodiment, the position and the geographical range indicated by the position information and the range information 276 can be expressed using latitude / longitude. For example, the position information acquired when imaging is started is represented by latitude: a and longitude: b, and the position can be specified by the latitude / longitude. The range information 276 specifies the range such as latitude: a−c to a + c, longitude: b−d to b + d, when the position information of the point where the imaging is started is latitude: a and longitude: b. Is done. Here, c and d are numerical values obtained by converting distances corresponding to ½ of the vertical and horizontal widths of the predetermined geographical range 304 (304a, 304b, 304c) into latitude and longitude. Therefore, a represents the center of the latitude range of the range information 276, and b represents the center of the longitude range of the range information 276.

  In this embodiment, the size of the geographical range 304 indicated by the range information 276 is set at a ratio corresponding to an aspect ratio of a general display screen, for example, 4: 3, 8: 5, 16: 9, etc. A map image 268 capable of specifying the geographical range 304 is also formed with the same aspect ratio as that of a general display screen. Therefore, the user can refer to the map image 268 with an appropriate screen ratio that effectively uses the display screen via the monitor 140 and the image display unit 206 formed with the same aspect ratio.

  Further, here, the geographical range 304 indicated by the range information 276 is a square range having a general aspect ratio of the display screen centered on the position indicated by the position information acquired by the position acquisition unit 230 at the start of imaging. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and may be a circle, square, or other shape range centered on the position indicated by the position information acquired at the start of imaging, or indicated by the position information acquired at the start of imaging. The distance from the position may be a square deviated vertically, horizontally, or other shape, or may be any shape / size designated by the user's operation input.

  After generating the range information 276 as described above, the index generation unit 272 generates the range from the image data of the map 300 that is a part of the map represented by the map data 262 stored in the imaging storage unit 222. Data of an image in the geographical range 304a indicated by the information 276 is cut out, and a map image 268a as an index image as shown in FIG. 4B is generated.

  In the present embodiment, the map image 268 is a map image corresponding to the geographical range 304 indicated in each range information 276. By using the map image 268 as the index image, the user visually recognizes the map image 268 as the index image, thereby associating the rough imaging position stored by the user with the map image 268, and the imaging position. Index information 266, which will be described later, can be easily linked, and desired image data 264 can be quickly searched.

  Then, the index generation unit 272 generates index information 266 that associates the storage start point of the image data 264 newly imaged and stored with the map image 268 as the newly generated index image.

  FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the index information 266 according to the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 5, the index information 266 associates the index information name 350, the index image name 352, the range information 276 described above, and the storage start point 354 of the image data 264. The index information name 350 is an identifier for identifying the index information 266 from others, and is constituted by, for example, “index + predetermined numerical value”. Further, when the index information 266 is stored as a file, the file name can be the index information name 350. The index image name 352 is an identifier for referring to the main body of the map image 268, and is composed of, for example, “map + predetermined numerical value”. Further, when the map image 268 as an index image is stored as a file, the file name can be used as the index image name 352.

  The storage start point 354 represents the current time acquired by the imaging control unit 232 from the RTC unit 226 at the start of imaging in the format of “year / month / day: hour: minute: second: millisecond”. The storage start point 354 is an identifier for identifying the image data 264. When the image data 264 is stored as a file, the file name may be used as an identifier instead of the storage start point 354 as with the index information 266 and the map image 268.

  As described above, when the index information 266, the map image 268, and the image data 264 are stored as files, each file is stored in a storage area formatted by FAT (File Allocation Tables) in the imaging storage unit 222.

  When the index information 266, the map image 268, and the image data 264 are stored as files, the index information 266 is an Exif (Exchangeable Image File Format) format as additional information of the map image 268 in the TIFF (Tagged Image File Format) format. May be stored. Specifically, the storage start point 354 and the range information 276 may be stored as a manufacturer note, which is a storage area for manufacturer-specific data prepared in advance in the Exif format. Exif also has a storage area for storing thumbnail images, and thumbnail images, which will be described later in the description of the image playback device 130, may be stored in such storage areas.

  Then, the index generation unit 272 stores the generated map image 268 and the index information 266 in the imaging storage unit 222, and holds the newly generated range information 276 in the range holding unit 228. In addition, the storage control unit 270 is generated while the user exists in the geographical range 304a indicated by the range information 276, that is, while the imaging device 110 is positioned on the map image 268a of FIG. 4B. The image data 264 is stored in the imaging storage unit 222 as needed, and the storage start point 354 of the image data 264 is associated with the map image 268a as needed in the index information 266.

  The imaging position superimposing unit 274 sets the imaging position of the imaging device 110 at the position on the map image 268 generated immediately before that corresponds to the position indicated by the position information, here the map image 268a in FIG. 4B. Superimpose the indicated index.

  For example, when the user moves while imaging, as shown in FIG. 4B, the imaging position superimposing unit 274 corresponds to the position information acquired by the position acquiring unit 230 on the map image 268a generated immediately before. An index (in this embodiment, a black circle) indicating the imaging position of the imaging device 110 is superimposed on the position where the image is to be captured. As described above, since the position information is acquired about every 10 seconds, the imaging position superimposing unit 274 performs a new index at a position on the map image 268 corresponding to each position information about every 10 seconds during imaging. Is superimposed. Such an index is also superimposed on map images 268b and 306c shown in FIGS. 4C and 4D described later.

  Such an index indicating each imaging position of the imaging device 110 when generating the image data 264 is sequentially superimposed on the map image 268 generated immediately before, for example, a map similar as an index image when searching for the image data 264 Even when there are a plurality of images 268, the user can visually recognize the movement trajectory of the imaging device 110 in each map image 268. Therefore, the user can specify the map image 268 associated with the desired image data 264 based on the movement trajectory, and can search the image data 264 more quickly.

  When the user further moves and reaches the position 306 in FIG. 4A at the time of imaging, the position of the position information acquired by the position acquisition unit 230 indicates the geography indicated by the range information 276 held in the range holding unit 228. It is outside the target range 304a. Then, the index generation unit 272 includes range information 276 indicating a new geographical range 304b centered on the position 306, a map image 268b shown in FIG. 4C that can specify the new geographical range 304b, and a position Index information 266 that associates the storage start point 354 of the image data 264 generated in 306 with the map image 268b is generated, the map image 268b and the index information 266 are stored in the imaging storage unit 222, and the range of the range holding unit 228 The information 276 is updated to the newly generated range information 276.

  In principle, the index information 266 is not generated while the user is in the geographical area 304b corresponding to the map image 268b. However, when a predetermined time, for example, 24 hours has elapsed since the index information 266 was generated at the previous position 306 while existing in the geographical area 304b, at the position 308 in FIG. The index generation unit 272 generates the range information 276 indicating the new geographical range 304c, the map image 268c shown in FIG. 4D that can specify the geographical range 304c, and the index information 266, and the map image 268c. And the index information 266 are stored in the imaging storage unit 222, and the range information 276 of the range holding unit 228 is updated to the newly generated range information 276.

  As described above, the index generation unit 272 generates the range information 276, the map image 268, and the index information 266 even when a predetermined time has elapsed since the last generation of the index information 266, and the map image 268 and the index information 266. Are stored in the imaging storage unit 222, and the range information 276 of the range holding unit 228 is updated based on the new geographical range 304.

  With this configuration, the index image and the index information 266 can be appropriately generated not only by the moving distance but also by the passage of time, and can be stored in the imaging storage unit 222. Thus, the user can generate the index image at every predetermined time. It is possible to search for desired image data 264 more quickly using the map image 268 to be displayed.

  As described above, the index information 266 that associates the storage start point 354 of the image data 264 and the map image 268 of the image capturing apparatus 110 of the present embodiment with the map image 268 is generated at the time of image capturing, so that the user can perform the image data 264 search. The imaging position can be easily grasped only by referring to the map image 268 as an index image generated in advance without using a highly accurate map image or the like.

  In addition, by generating index information 266 for each geographical range 304 and grouping the image data 264, the user can store the rough position at the time of imaging first when searching for the image data 264. Since the search range of the desired image data 264 can be narrowed down based on the map image 268, it is possible to find the desired image data 264 from among the narrowed down image data 264. In other words, the imaging apparatus 110 according to the present embodiment can cause the user to search the image data 264 quickly and efficiently.

(Imaging method)
Next, an imaging method for storing the index information 266 in which the index image that can specify the imaging position and the storage start point 354 of the image data 264 is stored using the above-described imaging device 110 will be described.

  FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a specific processing flow of the imaging method according to the present embodiment. When there is a user operation input instructing the start of imaging (YES in S400), the imaging unit 210 of the imaging device 110 starts generating image data, and the storage control unit 270 generates and encodes image data. H.264 is stored in the imaging storage unit 222 (S402). Further, the position acquisition unit 230 of the imaging device 110 acquires position information indicating the position of the imaging device 110 (S404), and determines whether or not the range information 276 is held in the range holding unit 228 (S406).

  When the range information 276 is held (YES in S406), range determination processing is performed (S408). The range determination process will be described in detail later with reference to FIG. As a result of the range determination process, if the position indicated in the acquired position information is within the geographical range 304 indicated in the range information 276 (YES in S410), whether a predetermined time has elapsed since the last generation of the index information 266 It is determined whether or not (S412).

  When there is no range information 276 (NO in S406), as a result of the range determination process, the position indicated by the acquired location information is outside the geographical range 304 indicated by the range information 276 (NO in S410), or immediately before When a predetermined time has elapsed since the generation of the index information 266 (YES in S412), the index generation unit 272 indicates a new geographical range 304 including the position indicated by the position information acquired by the position acquisition unit 230. Range information 276 is generated (S414).

  Subsequently, the index generation unit 272 generates a map image 268 as an index image that can specify a new geographical range 304 (S416). Further, the index generation unit 272 generates the storage start point 354 of the image data 264 generated in the new geographical range 304 and the index information 266 that associates the map image 268 (S418), and holds it in the range holding unit 228. The range information 276 being updated is updated (S420).

  Then, it is determined whether or not there is an operation input for instructing the user to end imaging (S422). When there is a user operation input to instruct the end of imaging (YES in S422), the imaging unit 210 of the imaging device 110 is set. Then, the generation of the image data is stopped (S424), and the process returns to the determination step (S400) of whether or not there is an operation input for starting imaging. If there is no operation input for instructing the end of imaging (NO in S422), the process returns to the position information acquisition process (S404).

  If the predetermined time has not elapsed (NO in S412), it is determined whether or not the index information 266 has already been generated after the operation input by the user instructing the start of imaging (S426).

  When the index information 266 has not been generated yet (YES in S426), the index generation unit 272 stores the storage start point 354 of the image data 264 in addition to the latest index information 266 stored in the imaging storage unit 222. (S428), and a determination step for determining whether or not there is an operation input for instructing the end of imaging (S422). If the index information 266 has already been generated after the user's operation input (NO in S426), the process returns to the position information acquisition process (S404).

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a specific process flow of the imaging method range determination process (S408) in FIG. Here, the position indicated by the position information acquired by the position acquisition unit 230 is latitude: I, longitude: K, and the range indicated by the range information 276 held by the range holding unit 228 is from latitude: I ₀ . Suppose that it is largely less than I ₁ and longitude: K ₀ and less than K ₁

When the range determination process (S408) is started, the index generation unit 272 determines that the longitude K of the location information acquired by the location acquisition unit 230 is the geographic range of the range information 276 held in the range holding unit 228. It is determined whether or not the lower limit value K ₀ of the longitude of 304 is greater (S450).

When the longitude K is larger than the longitude lower limit K ₀ (YES in S450), the index generation unit 272 indicates that the latitude I of the location information acquired by the location acquisition unit 230 is greater than the latitude lower limit I _{0 of the} geographic range 304. It is determined whether it is larger (S452).

When the latitude I is greater than the lower limit value I _{0 of} longitude (YES in S452), the index generation unit 272 determines whether the longitude K is less than the upper limit value K ₁ of the longitude of the geographical range 304 (S454). .

If longitude K is the upper limit value _K less than ₁ longitude (YES in S454), the index generator 272, the upper limit value _I below ₁ latitude I have geographic area 304 longitude of position information position acquisition unit 230 acquires It is determined whether or not (S456).

If the latitude I is the upper limit value I less than _a longitude (YES in S456), the index generator 272, range information position acquisition part 230 is a position indicated by the positional information acquired is held in the range holding unit 228 It is determined that it is within the geographical range 304 indicated by 276 (S458).

On the other hand, (NO in S450) If the longitude K is less than the lower limit value _{K 0} longitude, (NO in S452) when the latitude I is less than the lower limit value _{I 0} latitude, longitude K is the upper limit value _{K 1} or longitude If it is (NO in S454), or, if the latitude I is the upper limit value _{I 1} or more latitude (NO in S456), the index generator 272, the position indicated by the position information position acquisition unit 230 has acquired, It is determined that it is outside the geographical range 304 indicated by the range information 276 held in the range holding unit 228 (S460).

  According to the imaging method described above, the user can easily grasp the imaging position only by referring to the map image 268 generated at the time of imaging without using a highly accurate map image or the like when searching for the image data 264. Therefore, the search range of the desired image data 264 can be narrowed down based on the imaging position and the map image 268, and the user can search the image data 264 quickly and efficiently.

(Image Playback Device 130)
In the imaging device 110 described above, a configuration has been described in which the index information 266 in which the storage start point 354 of the image data 264 is associated with the map image 268 is generated during imaging. Here, a configuration for searching for desired image data 264 by the user through the image reproducing device 130 from the plurality of image data 264 generated using the above-described imaging device 110 and written to the removable storage medium 150 through the writer device 120 is described. explain.

  FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing a configuration of the image reproduction device 130 according to the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 8, the image reproduction device 130 includes a reproduction control unit 500, a reproduction storage unit 502, an image reading unit 504, a reproduction buffer 506, a reproduction image decoding unit 508, a reproduction data processing unit 510, And a reproduction operation key 512.

  The reproduction control unit 500 manages and controls the entire image reproduction device 130 according to a program 260 stored in the reproduction storage unit 502 by a semiconductor integrated circuit including a central processing unit (CPU) and a signal processing device (DSP). The reproduction storage unit 502 includes an HDD, an EEPROM, a nonvolatile RAM, a flash memory, and the like, and stores a program 260 processed by the reproduction control unit 500.

  The image reading unit 504 reads image data 264, index information 266, and a map image 268 as an index image from the removable storage medium 150, and transmits them to the reproduction buffer 506. The reproduction buffer 506 temporarily stores the image data 264, the index information 266, and the map image 268. The reproduction data decoding unit 508 stores the image data 264, the index information 266, and the map image 268. The data is transmitted to the unit 510. The reproduction image decoding unit 508 decodes the encoded image data 264 transmitted from the reproduction buffer 506 and transmits the decoded image data 264 to the reproduction data processing unit 510.

  The reproduction data processing unit 510 extracts audio data from the transmitted image data, converts the image data into an image signal, converts it to the monitor 140, converts the extracted audio data into an audio signal, and outputs the audio signal to the speaker 530. Further, the reproduction data processing unit 510 outputs a map image 268 and thumbnail images of the image data 264 grouped for each map image 268 to the monitor 140 in accordance with a user operation input through the reproduction operation key 512. . Here, the thumbnail image is a still image or a moving image corresponding to the storage start point 354 of the image data 264.

  FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram for explaining grouping of the image data 264 by the map image 268 according to the present embodiment.

  When there is an instruction to set the display mode to the index mode through a user operation input, the reproduction data processing unit 510 outputs map images 268a, 268b, and 268c as index images to the monitor 140 as shown in FIG. To do.

  Here, the index mode is a display mode in which the map image 268 is referenced step by step in order to search for desired image data 264. On the other hand, a mode in which desired image data 264 is searched from all thumbnail images 550 without using the map image 268 is set as a normal mode.

  Here, when the user selects a map image 268 in which a rough imaging position where the desired image data 264 is captured is illustrated, for example, the map image 268a, the reproduction data processing unit 510 displays the map image 268a in the index information 266. For all the associated storage start points 354 of the image data 264, thumbnail images 550a to 550f of the corresponding image data 264 are generated. Then, the reproduction data processing unit 510 outputs thumbnail images 550a to 550f to the monitor 140, as shown in FIG. 9B.

  By using the image playback device 130 according to the present embodiment, the user desires without directly searching all the image data 264 stored in the removable storage medium 150 (the storage start point 354 of the image data 264). By selecting the map image 268 showing the imaging position where the image data 264 is captured, the search range of the desired image data 264 is narrowed down to the image data 264 belonging to the lower layer of the hierarchical map image 268. The user can search the image data 264 quickly and efficiently.

(Image playback method)
Next, an image reproduction method using the above-described image reproduction device 130 will be described. FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing specific processing of the image reproduction method according to the present embodiment. When the user tries to search the image data 264 and inputs the display mode (YES in S600), the reproduction data processing unit 510 determines whether or not the input display mode is the index mode (S602). When the index mode is selected (YES in S602), the reproduction data processing unit 510 outputs a map image 268 as an index image and displays it on the monitor 140 (S604).

  Subsequently, when there is a selection input for selecting the map image 268 from the user (YES in S606), the reproduction data processing unit 510 reproduces the storage start point 354 associated with the selected map image 268 by the index information 266. Reading from the buffer 506 (S608). Then, the reproduction data processing unit 510 generates a thumbnail image 550 of the read storage start point 354 and displays it on the monitor 140 (S610).

  When the thumbnail image 550 is selected by an operation input from the user (YES in S612), the reproduction data processing unit 510 reproduces the image data 264 of the selected storage start point 354 (S614).

  If the index mode is not set (S602), i.e., the normal mode is set (NO in S602), the reproduction data processing unit 510 stores all the storages stored in the removable storage medium 150. The starting point 354 is read through the reproduction buffer 506 (S616). Then, the processing after the generation step (S610) of the thumbnail image 550 is performed.

  Even when the above-described image reproduction method is used, the user does not search all the image data 264 stored in the removable storage medium 150 (the storage start point 354 of the image data 264). The search range can be narrowed down, and the image data 264 can be searched more quickly with fewer operations.

  As mentioned above, although preferred embodiment of this invention was described referring an accompanying drawing, it cannot be overemphasized that this invention is not limited to this embodiment. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications can be made within the scope of the claims, and these are naturally within the technical scope of the present invention. Understood.

  For example, in the above-described embodiment, the imaging device 110 and the image reproduction device 130 are separated from each other. However, the function of the image reproduction device 130 may be included in the imaging device 110, and in this case, the imaging device 110. Causes the image display unit 206 to display the image data 264, the map image 268, and the thumbnail image 550.

  In addition, the above-described imaging device 110 is configured to include the range holding unit 228. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the index generation unit 272 is updated each time from the latest index information 266 stored in the imaging storage unit 222. The range information 276 may be read.

  Note that each step in the imaging method and the image reproduction method of the present specification does not necessarily have to be processed in time series in the order described in the flowchart, and may include processing in parallel or by a subroutine.

  The present invention can be used in an imaging apparatus that can capture an image of a subject and generate image data.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 110 ... Imaging device 210 ... Imaging part 222 ... Imaging storage part 228 ... Range holding part 230 ... Position acquisition part 264 ... Image data 266 ... Index information 268 ... Map image 270 ... Storage control part 272 ... Index generation part 276 ... Range information 304 ... Geographic range 354 ... Memory start point

Claims (5)

An imaging device for imaging a subject,
A range holding unit capable of holding range information indicating a geographical range;
An imaging unit that images a subject and generates image data;
A storage control unit for storing the image data in an imaging storage unit;
A position acquisition unit that acquires position information indicating the position of the imaging device;
When the position indicated by the position information is outside the geographical range indicated by the range information, range information indicating a new geographical range including the position indicated by the position information, and the new geographical range An index image that can be identified, index information that associates the storage start point of the image data generated in the new geographical range and the index image are generated, and the index image and the index information are captured and stored. An index generation unit that stores the range information of the range holding unit to the newly generated range information;
An imaging apparatus comprising:   The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the index image is a map image corresponding to a geographical range indicated by the range information.   The imaging position superimposing unit that superimposes an index indicating the imaging position of the imaging apparatus on a position on the map image generated immediately before that corresponds to the position indicated by the position information. 2. The imaging device according to 2.   The index generation unit generates the range information, the index image, and the index information even when a predetermined time has elapsed since the last index update, and the index image and index information are stored in the imaging storage unit. The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the imaging apparatus stores the range information of the range holding unit and updates the newly generated range information.   The index generation unit generates the range information, the index image, and the index information even when the range holding unit does not yet hold the range information, and captures the index image and the index information. 5. The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the imaging device is stored in a storage unit, and the newly generated range information is held in the range holding unit. 6.

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