JPH11146317A - Digital still camera - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide the digital still camera by which concrete identification information useful for succeeding arrangement/retrieval is simply added to a photographed image. SOLUTION: A touch panel 12 is placed on a display section 10 of the digital still camera, and a person icon 30 such as a family and a category icon 40 are displayed together with a photographed image after photographing. Then information such as personal information and a keyword relating to the icons is added to an image as identification information. Moreover, icons are produced from a photographed image and icons are easily registered as new icons and changed. Furthermore, the digital still camera is provided with an ID card read means and a means that conducts electromagnetic or optical communication with an ID card, or icons may be generated by receiving information from a recording medium such as a card or information may be registered.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a digital still camera, and more particularly, to adding identification information such as a keyword to a photographed image so that a desired image can be easily searched from image data recorded and stored in a large amount. The present invention relates to a digital still camera having a function.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art When rearranging images recorded by a digital still camera, classification and identification of each image can be assisted by, for example, a file name of image data, a file creation date and time, an index image, or It is identification information such as a keyword and an identifier additionally embedded in the image data as information, and a desired image is searched for from a plurality of image data based on such information. in this way,
A method of adding information such as a keyword, an index, and a classification tag to an image and searching for the desired image is disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 9-50
Many proposals have been made, including Japanese Patent Publication No. 436.

[0003]

However, the information used in the conventional search, such as the file name and the file creation date and time, lacks specific information. The final determination could not be made without confirming. Also, when information such as a keyword is added to each image, it takes a great deal of labor to individually input specific information useful for organizing and searching after shooting.

The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and provides a digital still camera capable of easily adding specific identification information useful for later organization and retrieval to a photographed image. With the goal.

[0005]

According to the present invention, there is provided a digital still camera for recording, in a recording unit, image data representing a subject image obtained through a photographing lens and an image pickup device. And a touch panel disposed on the front of the display unit, an icon is displayed on a screen of the display unit, and information associated with the icon is selected by selecting the icon via the touch panel. And an information adding unit that adds information input from the input unit to image data and records the image data in the recording unit.

According to the present invention, an image photographed by the digital still camera is displayed on the display unit, and an icon for inputting information is displayed on this screen. A touch panel is provided on the front surface of the display unit. When a user selects a desired icon and touches the icon, information defined for the icon is added to the image as identification information. As described above, since the icon format is adopted as the information input means, the identification information can be easily added to the image.

[0007] Further, it is also possible to create an icon from a photographed image, and a new icon can be created and registered by the icon creating means after the photographing. In this case, new information may be defined for the newly created icon, or only the image of the already registered icon may be replaced, and the information itself may not be changed. Further, selection of an icon from the touch panel may be used as a shutter trigger, and shooting (recording of a subject image) may be performed by touching the icon, and information of the icon may be added to the captured image.
This further simplifies the information input operation.

According to another aspect of the present invention, in the digital still camera having the above-mentioned structure, a reading means for reading information recorded on a recording medium, and an icon based on the information read from the reading means are further provided. It is characterized by comprising at least one of an icon creating means for creating and an information registering means for registering information to be associated with an icon based on the information read from the reading means.

That is, information recorded on a recording medium such as an ID card can be read by the reading means, and an icon can be created based on the read information, and information associated with the icon can be registered. As a specific form of the reading unit, for example, a card reading unit that reads information of a card in a contact type or a non-contact type may be used, or a communication unit that performs non-contact communication with a recording medium by electromagnetic or optical action. May be used as the reading means.

Further, according to another aspect of the present invention, the recording unit has a storage unit capable of recording a plurality of frames of images.
A search condition input unit for inputting a search condition using an icon of the input unit; and image data matching the search condition among image data of a plurality of frames stored in the storage unit. And an image search means for searching based on the information recorded in (1).

By utilizing the information added to the images in this way, it is possible to easily select an image that meets the search condition from a large amount of stored image data, thereby enabling an early search.

[0012]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Preferred embodiments of a digital still camera according to the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. FIG. 1 is a front external view of a digital still camera to which the present invention is applied. As shown in the figure, an imaging unit 2 is provided at the upper left corner of the front of the digital still camera 1, and the left side of the front of the camera including the imaging unit 2 is easy for the photographer to hold the camera with his right hand. Thus, the grip portion 4 is formed. The imaging unit 2 has a photographing lens, and a CCD (image pickup device) (not shown) is arranged behind the photographing lens. Although the configuration of the taking lens is not shown, for example, a rear focus zoom lens including a zooming group and a correction group is used. An auxiliary light emitting unit 6 is provided at the upper right corner of the front of the camera, and a power switch 8 and a shutter button 9 are provided at the top of the camera.

FIG. 2 shows the digital still camera of FIG. 1 as viewed from the back. A single image display unit (display unit) 10 is provided on the back of the camera. The display unit 10 includes, for example, a liquid crystal display (LCD), and a light-transmissive touch panel 12 is provided on the front surface of the display unit 10. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the internal configuration of the digital still camera 1. The digital still camera 1 mainly includes an imaging unit 2, a signal processing unit 14, a built-in memory (or an external memory) 16, an output memory 18,
It comprises a D / A converter 20, a display unit 10, a touch panel 12, a central processing unit (CPU) 22, and the like.

The subject image formed on the light receiving surface of the CCD via the photographing lens of the imaging section 2 is photoelectrically converted by the CCD and sequentially read out as a video signal. Signal processing unit 14
Although the detailed configuration of is not shown, the signal processing unit 14
Includes, as is well known, an analog processing circuit such as a CDS clamp circuit and a gain adjustment circuit, an A / D converter, and a digital image processing circuit such as a luminance signal generation circuit, a color difference signal generation circuit, and a gamma correction path. .

The video signal read from the image pickup unit 2 is appropriately processed in the signal processing unit 14, for example, according to an Exif (Exchangeable image file format) file specification or other predetermined format.
(For example, a flash memory built in a camera) or a recording unit such as a removable external memory card. The video signal read from the imaging unit 2 and the video signal read from the built-in memory (or detachable external memory) 16 are processed by the signal processing unit 14 and then output to the output memory 18. You. Then, the video signal is guided to the display unit 10 via the D / A converter 20, and the captured image is displayed on the display unit 10. The display unit 10 can display not only a still image shot by the shutter release operation but also a video (moving image or intermittent image) before the shutter release operation.

The digital still camera 1 has a well-known automatic exposure adjustment (AE) function and an automatic focus (A).
F) A function is provided, and optimal exposure adjustment and focus adjustment are automatically performed only by the photographer pointing the camera at the subject. The CPU 22 controls and controls each circuit of the camera. The CPU 22 determines a pressed position (touched position) of the touch panel 12 based on an input signal from the touch panel 12, and performs imaging for performing shooting such as zooming and focusing. Control of the section 2, display control of the display section 10, writing / reading of image data to / from the built-in memory 16, and the like are performed.

FIG. 4 shows an example of a screen of the display unit 10 after photographing. Rec review after shooting (REC.revi
ew) On the screen, as shown in FIG. 4, a photographed image is displayed on the right side of the screen, and icons (hereinafter, referred to as person icons) 30 and 30 representing the faces of the persons are displayed on the left end of the screen, the forward button 34, and the reverse button Operation buttons such as a forward button 36 are displayed in a line in a vertical line. Although the details will be described later, the photographer selects the face of the subject from the person icon 30 at the left end of the screen after shooting, and the personal information (person ID) of the person registered in the icon is identified by the identification information (personal information) of the image. (Subject ID).

An arrow icon indicated by reference numeral 38 at the lower left of the screen in the figure is a mode end button (return button).
After the identification information is recorded, by pressing the icon, the user exits the subject ID addition mode and returns to the shooting screen. FIG. 5 shows a flowchart of a sequence of the digital still camera configured as described above. When the power switch 8 is turned on and the shooting mode starts, it is first determined whether or not the shutter button 9 has been pressed (step S101). Until the shutter button 9 is pressed, the process of step S101 is repeated, and when the shutter button 9 is pressed, the process proceeds to the photographing process (step S102). In the photographing process, a well-known AE / A
The F function operates to capture a subject image, and appropriately process the image signal to generate image data.

Next, it is determined whether or not the subject ID addition mode has been set (step S104).
If the D addition mode is not set, the captured image is displayed on the display unit 10 (Step S106), and the process returns to Step S101. Various methods are conceivable for the method of setting the subject ID addition mode. For example, the subject ID may be set in advance from the mode selection menu (not shown) before shooting.
The additional mode may be selected, or a mode selection menu may be displayed on the display unit 10 together with the shot image after the shooting process (step S102) to provide a mode setting opportunity.

When it is determined in step S104 that the subject ID addition mode has been set, as described with reference to FIG. 4, the captured image and the subject ID input icon (in this case, the person icon 30) are displayed on the display unit 10. Are displayed simultaneously (step S108). Next, the feed button (reference numeral 3)
(4, 36) is determined (step S1).
10). When the forward button 34 is pressed, the person icon 30 displayed on the left end of the display unit 10 (display field of the operation button) is forward-processed (step S11).
2), replace with another person's icon, and step S11
Return to 0. Also, in the determination in step S110, when the reverse button 36 is pressed, the person icon 30
Is processed in reverse (Step S114), replaced with another person icon, and the process returns to Step S110.

In step S110, a feed button (reference numeral 3)
If no (4, 36) is pressed, then the subject ID
It is determined whether an icon (person icon 30) has been selected (step S116). If the photographer obtains the icon display of the desired person and selects the person icon 30, personal information (person ID) registered in the person icon 30 is added to the image data and recorded (step S118). ). For example, when recording according to the Exif file rules, the personal information is stored in an application
Record in the marker segment (APP1). The method for registering the icons will be described later (see FIGS. 11 to 1).
5).

On the other hand, if the photographer has not selected the subject ID icon in step S116, the process proceeds to step S1.
The process proceeds to step S120 without performing the process of S18. After the processing of step S118 or step S116
If the photographer did not select the subject ID icon in step, it is determined whether the return button 38 has been pressed (step S120). If the return button 38 has not been pressed, the process returns to step S110, and the processes of steps S110 to S120 described above are repeated. If the return button 38 is pressed, the process returns to step S101.

Thus, information on a person included in a captured image can be easily added as identification information. The content of the identification information added to the image by the icon operation may be a genre indicating the classification of the image, in addition to the personal information of the person as described above. For example, as shown in FIG. 6, a character icon 30
In addition, an icon 40 representing a genre (hereinafter, referred to as a genre icon) may be displayed so that both personal information of a person and genre information can be added.

More specifically, step S11 shown in FIG.
6, a subject ID icon (person icon 30) is selected, and information of the person is added.
Alternatively, by operating the reverse button 36, the genre icon 40 is displayed below the person icon 30 as shown in FIG. When the photographer obtains the display of the desired genre icon 40 and selects the genre icon 40, the genre registered in the icon (the genre icon shown in FIG. 6 is "soccer") is one of the identification information of the image. Is entered and recorded.

The flow of the operation in this mode is substantially the same as the flow chart shown in FIG. 5. Since the subject ID is a person ID or merely a genre ID, the description is omitted. Next, another mode in which both the person icon and the genre icon are simultaneously displayed on the rec review screen will be described.

FIG. 7 shows another display example of the display unit 10 after photographing. The same reference numerals as in FIG. 4 denote the same parts in FIG. 4, and a description thereof will be omitted. On the screen after photographing, person icons 30, 30, 30 are displayed in a vertical line at the left end of the screen, and genre icons 40, 4,
0 and 40 are displayed horizontally. Reference numerals 44 and 46 are a forward button and a reverse button of the genre icon, respectively.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a photographing sequence of the digital still camera of the embodiment shown in FIG. When the power switch 8 is turned on and the shooting mode is started, it is first determined whether or not the shutter button 9 has been pressed (step S201). Until the shutter button 9 is pressed, the process of step S201 is repeated, and when the shutter button 9 is pressed, the process proceeds to the photographing process (step S202). In the photographing process, the AE / AF function operates to capture a subject image and appropriately process the image signal to generate image data.

Next, it is determined whether or not the subject ID multi-addition mode has been set (step S204).
If the subject ID multi-addition mode has not been set, then it is determined whether or not the subject ID addition mode has been set. If the mode is set to the subject ID addition mode, steps S104 to S12 described in FIG.
0 (subject ID adding process) is executed (step S208), and the process returns to step S201. Also,
If it is determined in step S206 that the subject ID addition mode has not been set, the captured image is displayed on the display unit 10 (step S210), and the process returns to step S201.

As described in the description of FIG. 5, the mode setting method may be to select a desired mode from a mode selection menu or the like before photographing, or to perform photographing processing (step S202). After that, a mode selection menu may be displayed on the display unit 10 together with the captured image to provide a mode setting opportunity. If it is determined in step S204 that the subject ID multi-addition mode is set, the captured image and the subject ID icons (the person icon 30 and the genre icon 40) are simultaneously displayed on the display unit 10 as shown in FIG. Step S21
2).

Next, it is determined whether or not the send button (reference numerals 34 and 36) for the person icon has been pressed (step S214). If the forward button 34 is pressed, the person icon 30 displayed on the left end of the display unit 10 is subjected to the forward processing (step S216), replaced with another person's icon, and the process returns to step S214. If the reverse button 36 is pressed in the determination in step S214, the person icon 30 is subjected to reverse processing (step S218) and replaced with another icon.
Return to 214.

At step S214, the forward button (reference numeral 3)
If the button (4, 36) has not been pressed, it is then determined whether or not the genre icon feed button (reference numerals 44, 46) has been pressed (step S220). Forward button 4
When 4 is pressed, the genre icons 40 displayed on the upper part of the display unit 10 are sequentially forward-processed (step S222), replaced with other icons, and step S21 is performed.
Return to 4. If the reverse button 46 is pressed in step S220, the genre icon 40 is subjected to reverse processing (step S224), replaced with another icon, and the process returns to step S214.

At step S220, the forward button (reference numeral 4)
4, 46) is not pressed, then the subject ID
Icon (person icon 30 or genre icon 4
(0) is determined (step S22)
6). When the photographer obtains a desired icon display and selects the person icon 30 or the genre icon 40,
Information (person ID) defined for the selected icon
Or genre ID) is added to the image data and recorded (step S228).

On the other hand, if the photographer does not select any subject ID icon, the process proceeds to step S230 without performing the process of step S228. Step S228
Or the photographer sets the subject ID in step S226.
If you do not select an icon, then press return button 3
It is determined whether or not 8 has been pressed (step S230).
If the return button 38 has not been pressed, the process returns to step S214, and the above-described steps S214 to S23
If the process of 0 is repeated and the return button 38 is pressed, the process returns to step S201.

Thus, information about a person and information about a genre can be easily added as identification information to a photographed image. In addition, the work of adding identification information to an image can be performed not only immediately after shooting but also when playing back an image after shooting. That is, when an image is reproduced in the reproduction mode, an ID registration button 50 is displayed at the left end of the screen as shown in FIG. 9, and when the ID registration button 50 is pressed at the time of reproduction, FIGS. Alternatively, the display screen is switched to the display screen as shown in FIG. 7 so that the subject ID can be added and corrected even later.

FIG. 10 shows a sequence in such a case.
When the reproduction mode is selected and the reproduction mode processing is started, first, it is determined whether or not the forward buttons (reference numerals 34 and 36) are pressed (step S301). Forward button 3
If 4 or the backward button 36 is pressed, the frames of the recorded image are forward- or backward-processed according to the pressed button (step S302), the frame to be reproduced is changed, and the process returns to step S301.

If it is determined in step S301 that the feed button has not been pressed, then the ID registration button 5
It is determined whether 0 has been pressed (step S304).
If the ID registration button 50 has not been pressed, the process returns to step S301, and continues to display the reproduced image on the display unit 10. When the ID registration button 50 is pressed by the user, the mode shifts to the subject ID addition mode, and the subject ID icon is displayed on the display unit 10 in a predetermined display form as shown in FIG. 4, FIG. 6, or FIG. Step S30
6). Next, it is determined whether any one of the subject ID icons has been selected (step S308). When the user obtains a desired icon display and selects the person icon 30 or the genre icon 40, information (person ID or genre I) defined for the selected icon is selected.
D) is added to the image data and recorded (step S31)
0).

On the other hand, if the user does not select any subject ID icon, the process proceeds to step S312 without performing the process of step S310. Step S31
0, or in step S308, the photographer
If the D icon is not selected, it is determined whether the return button 38 has been pressed (step S31).
2). If the return button 38 has not been pressed, the processing returns to step S308, and the above-described steps S308 to S308 are performed.
The process of S312 is repeated, and when the return button 38 is pressed, the screen display is returned to the display as shown in FIG. 9 and the operation returns to the reproduction mode (step S314). Thereafter, the process returns to step S301. This makes it possible to easily add identification information to the image being reproduced.

Next, a method of registering an icon will be described. When a first person is photographed and personal information (person ID) about the person is desired to be input, the registration can be performed on the screen immediately after the photographing. That is,
When the icon is sent by operating the forward button 34 or the backward button 36 on the rec review screen after photographing (see FIG. 4, FIG. 6, or FIG. 7), the registration icon 52 is displayed as shown in FIG. Is done.

When the registration icon 52 is touched, the mode shifts to the registration mode, and a rectangular frame (registration frame) 54 is displayed on the screen as shown in FIG. The registration frame 54 is a frame indicating an area to be iconified. When the user touches the face of a person to be registered (for example, a boy on the right side of the screen) on the screen, the registration frame 54 is added to the face of the person. You can move and check the selected person.

At this time, the button functions of the forward button 34 and the reverse button 36 are changed so as to function as an enlarge button and a reduce button, respectively. By operating these buttons, the enlargement / reduction of the registration frame 54 is performed. It is possible to reduce or enlarge / reduce the screen. Therefore, by operating these buttons as necessary, it is possible to select an icon image at an optimal size.

When the image to be iconified is determined in this way, the image in the registration frame 54 is automatically resized to the icon size and displayed as a preview image in the icon registration preview area 56 at the left end of the screen in FIG. Here, when the registration button 53 is pressed, the registration of the icon is performed. The personal information about the person with the registered icon is shown in FIG.
As shown in FIG. 3, by handwriting input with a pen 58 or the like, necessary items such as a name, a relationship, a date of birth, a telephone number, and a work place may be directly input, or character keys may be displayed on a screen. Key input. Alternatively, the digital still camera may be connected to a personal computer (not shown) or the like, and necessary information may be input to the digital still camera via the computer.

FIG. 14 is a flowchart of a main sequence when the above-described registration processing is performed at the time of photographing. FIG.
4, the same steps as those in the flowchart shown in FIG. 5 are denoted by the same step numbers, and the description thereof will be omitted. FIG.
In the flowchart of FIG.
If it is detected that the D icon has been pressed, a process (step S117) for determining whether or not the icon selected at this time is the registered icon 52 is added. Is different from FIG. 5 in that the mode shifts to the ID registration mode (step S119). Although the processing in the ID registration mode will be described later (FIG. 15), after the processing in the ID registration mode (step S119), the process proceeds to step S120, and the subsequent processing is as described with reference to FIG.

If the icon selected in S116 is not the registered icon 52 but another person icon or the like, in step S180 the information corresponding to each icon is added to the image and recorded. Is the same as in the flowchart of FIG. FIG.
The registration sequence subroutine of the registration mode is shown. In step S117 of FIG. 14, it is detected that the registration icon 52 has been pressed, and when the processing of the ID registration mode of FIG. 15 starts, first, a registration frame 54 is displayed on the screen of the display unit 10 as shown in FIG. (Step S4
01). Then, the image in the registration frame 54 is displayed in the preview area 56 at the left end of the screen (step S40).
2).

Next, an enlargement / reduction button (reference numerals 34 and 3)
6) It is determined whether or not is pressed (step S404),
If the enlargement button (reference numeral 34 in FIG. 12) is pressed, enlargement processing of the registration frame 54 or enlargement processing of the screen is performed (step S406), and the process returns to step S404. On the other hand, if the reduce button (reference numeral 36 in FIG. 12) is pressed, the process of reducing the registration frame 54 or the process of reducing the screen is performed (step S408), and the process returns to step S404.

If the enlargement / reduction button has not been pressed in step S404, it is then determined whether or not the registration button (reference numeral 53 in FIG. 12) has been pressed (step S41).
0). When the user obtains the desired iconified image and presses the registration button 53, a registration confirmation screen is displayed (step S412). Although not shown in the figure, an OK button and a cancel button are displayed on this confirmation screen, and the user inputs a confirmation instruction as to whether or not to make a final registration (step S414).

Here, if the cancel button is pressed,
The registration of the icon is stopped, and the process proceeds to step S416. On the other hand, if the OK button is pressed in step S414, a new icon is registered, and subsequently, a button is displayed asking whether to input personal information (image additional information) to be added to the image (step S418). If the user selects not to input the image additional information, the registration mode is terminated (step S424), and the process returns to the main routine of FIG. In this case, it is also possible to register the image additional information later (at the time of reproduction).

If the user selects to input image additional information in step S418, for example, an information input screen as shown in FIG. 13 is displayed, and information input by the user is accepted (step S420). After the user inputs various information via input means such as a pen 58 or a keyboard, the input is confirmed (step S422), and the input is NG.
In the case of (input not completed), the process returns to step S420, and re-input of information is accepted.

After the information input operation in step S420 is completed and it is confirmed that the input is OK, the information is registered, and the registration mode is ended (step S424).
If it is determined in step S410 that the user has not pressed the registration button 53, it is determined whether the return button 38 has been pressed (step S41).
6) If the return button 38 has not been pressed, the process returns to step S404. If the return button 38 has been pressed, the registration mode ends (step S42).
4) Return to the main routine of FIG. In this way,
A new icon can be created from the captured image.

It is also possible to change (replace) the face of an already registered icon or to delete a registered icon and its personal information. For example, at the time of product sale, only the icon of an empty face (silhouette) image such as a line drawing such as the owner and family 1 is registered in the person icon portion as shown by reference numerals 60 and 61 in FIG.
By sequentially replacing the silhouette icon with the face of a person and registering the icon, the user can customize the digital still camera to his / her own. Hereinafter, a specific example of such an embodiment will be described.

When the forward button 34 or the reverse button 36 is pressed in the screen state shown in FIG. 16, the icons (reference numerals 60 and 61) are fed, and the registration button 62 and the icon change as shown in FIG. Button 64 appears. Here, when the user presses the icon change button 64, the mode is changed to the icon change mode, and the display is changed to a display as shown in FIG.

Next, on the screen shown in FIG.
By operating the or forward button 36, an icon to be changed is displayed in an area between the forward button 34 and the backward button 36. In FIG. 18, the silhouette icon 6 of the family 1 is displayed.
An example in which 1 is displayed is shown. When the icon selection button 66 is touched in this state, the registration frame 54 is displayed as shown in FIG. 19, and the image in the registration frame 54 is displayed in the preview area 56. The operation method of moving and enlarging / reducing the registration frame 54 is as described with reference to FIG. When the registration button 53 is pressed, the image in the registration frame 54 is registered as a new icon instead of the silhouette icon 61 of the family 1.

Even if the icon image is changed in this way, the content of the personal information itself is lost (replaced).
Never. Therefore, even if the image of the face of the icon is replaced because the actual appearance of the registered person has changed, the information of the same person can be used as it is. Also,
If the image additional information is input later, the information is automatically updated for all of the images stored in the digital still camera, for the image for which the identification information is input by the icon.

FIG. 20 shows a flowchart of the sequence of the above-mentioned change mode. When change mode starts,
As shown in FIG. 18, a subject ID icon (reference numeral 61 in FIG. 18) and an icon selection button 66 are displayed on the display unit 10 together with the captured image (step S501). Then
It is determined whether or not the feed buttons (reference numerals 34 and 36) have been pressed (step S502). When the forward button 34 is pressed, the icons are sequentially processed (step S5).
04), replace with another icon and return to step S502. If the reverse button 36 is pressed, the icon is subjected to reverse processing (step S506), replaced with another icon, and the process returns to step S506.

In step S506, the feed button (reference numeral 3)
If the button (4, 36) has not been pressed, it is then determined whether or not the icon selection button 66 has been pressed (step S).
508). If the icon selection button 66 has not been pressed, the process returns to step S502, and if the icon selection button 66 has been pressed, the registration frame 54 is displayed on the screen as shown in FIG. 19 (step S510). And the registration frame 5
4 is displayed in the preview area 56 at the left end of the screen (step S512).

Next, it is determined whether or not the enlargement / reduction buttons (reference numerals 34 and 36 in FIG. 19) have been pressed (step S5).
14) When the enlargement button (reference numeral 34 in FIG. 19) is pressed, the enlargement processing of the registration frame 54 or the enlargement processing of the screen is performed (step S516), and the process returns to step S514. On the other hand, if the reduce button (reference numeral 36 in FIG. 19) is pressed, the process of reducing the registration frame 54 or the process of reducing the screen is performed (step S518), and the process returns to step S514.

If the enlargement / reduction button has not been pressed in step S514, it is then determined whether or not the registration button (reference numeral 53 in FIG. 19) has been pressed (step S52).
0). When the user obtains the desired iconified image and presses the registration button 53, a registration confirmation screen is displayed (step S522). On this confirmation screen, an OK button and a cancel button are displayed (not shown), and the user inputs whether or not final registration is possible (step S52).
4).

Here, if the cancel button is pressed,
The registration of the change of the icon is stopped, and the process proceeds to step S526.
Move on to On the other hand, if the OK button is pressed in step S524, the icon specified in the registration frame 54 is newly registered instead of the old icon. Subsequently, a button is displayed asking whether to input personal information (image additional information) to be added to the image (step S528). If the user selects not to input the image additional information, the change mode ends (step S534). Even in this case, the image additional information can be registered later (during reproduction).

If the user selects to input image additional information in step S528, for example, an information input screen as shown in FIG. 13 is displayed, and information input by the user is accepted (step S530). After the user inputs various information via input means such as a pen 58 or a keyboard, the input is confirmed (step S532), and the input is NG.
In the case of (input not completed), the process returns to step S530, and re-input of information is accepted.

When the information input operation in step S530 is completed and the input is confirmed to be OK, the information is registered, and the change mode is ended (step S534).
If it is determined in step S520 that the user has not pressed the registration button 53, it is determined whether the return button 38 has been pressed (step S52).
6) If the return button 38 has not been pressed, the process returns to step S512, and if the return button 38 has been pressed, the change mode ends (step S53).
4).

Next, a method of deleting (deleting registration) an icon will be described. The icon is configured to be deleted only during reproduction. That is, at the time of reproduction, the forward button (reference numerals 34 and 36) is operated from the screen of FIG. 4 or FIG. When the delete button is pressed, a delete menu as shown in FIG. 21 is displayed. By pressing the forward button 34 or the reverse button 36, a delete menu of the icon to be deleted is displayed. When the delete button 68 is pressed on the screen of the delete menu, as shown in FIG. 22, a message asking whether to delete only the icon or all the information including the personal information is displayed together with icons 70 and 71 for selecting the delete item. Is displayed.

Icon 70 indicating that only the icon is to be deleted
Is selected, a dialog 72 for confirmation as shown in FIG. 23 appears. When the delete button 68 is pressed according to this display, the icon is deleted. In this case, only the person image of the icon is deleted, and the icon returns to the icon of the line drawing (silhouette) at the time of purchase as shown in FIG. 18, but the personal information itself associated with the icon is stored.

On the other hand, when the icon 71 for deleting all information is selected on the screen of FIG. 22, a dialog 73 for confirmation as shown in FIG. 24 appears. When the delete button 68 is pressed according to this display, all information including the icon and the personal information associated with the icon is deleted. Then, the process returns to the icon of the line drawing (silhouette) at the time of purchase as shown in FIG.

FIG. 25 shows a flowchart of the sequence of the above-described erase mode. When the erase mode starts,
As described with reference to FIG. 21, information accompanying the icon and the delete button 68 are displayed on the display unit 10 (step S60).
1). Next, it is determined whether or not the feed buttons (reference numerals 34 and 36) have been pressed (step S602). If the forward button 34 is pressed, the icons are sequentially forwarded (step S604), replaced with another icon, and the process returns to step S601. When the reverse button 36 is pressed, the icon is reverse-processed (step S60).
6), replace with another icon and return to step S601.

In step S601, a forward button (reference numeral 3)
If no (4, 36) has been pressed, it is then determined whether or not the delete button 68 has been pressed (step S60).
8). If the erase button 68 has not been pressed, the process jumps to step S626, and the pressing of the return button 38 is determined (step S626). If the return button 38 has not been pressed, the process returns to step S601. If the return button 38 has been pressed, the erasing mode ends (step S628).

On the other hand, when the delete button 68 is pressed in step S608, the icons 70 and 71 for selecting the delete item are displayed as described with reference to FIG. 22 (step S6).
10) Accepting a choice between erasing only the icon or erasing all information. Then, it is determined which erase item the user has selected (step S61).
2).

When the user selects to delete only the icon, the confirmation display described with reference to FIG.
614) The input of the final confirmation of whether to execute the erasing or to cancel the erasing operation is accepted. Then, the user deletes /
It is determined which of the cancellations has been instructed (step S
616) When the user inputs an instruction to execute the deletion, only the icon is deleted (step S61).
8), the process proceeds to step S626. On the other hand, when the user instructs cancellation in step S616, the deletion is stopped and the process proceeds to step S626.

When the user selects to delete all information in step S612, the confirmation display described with reference to FIG. 24 is performed (step S620), and whether to execute the deletion or to cancel the deletion operation is determined. Accept confirmation input. Next, it is determined whether the user has given an instruction to delete or cancel (step S622), and when the user has input to instruct the execution of the deletion, the information of the icon and all items associated with the icon are deleted (step S622). Step S624) and proceed to step S626. On the other hand, when the user instructs cancellation in step S622, the erasing operation is stopped, and the process proceeds to step S626.

In step S626, the return button 3
It is determined whether or not 8 has been pressed, and if the return button 38 has not been pressed, the process returns to step S601. If the return button 38 has been pressed, the erasing mode ends (step S628). As described above, according to the digital still camera of the present embodiment, an icon of a person is created from a captured image, and information of the person can be registered in the icon. Identification information can be easily added to an image by a simple operation.

In the above embodiment, the case of instructing the photographing (release) with the shutter button 9 has been described. However, the touch of the icon can be used as a shutter trigger. For example, at the time of shooting (during moving image display), the person icon 30 is displayed as shown in FIG. 4 or FIG. 7, and by touching the person icon 30 displayed on the screen, an image is recorded and at the same time, You may comprise so that the information of an icon may be added.

Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 26 shows the appearance of a digital still camera according to the second embodiment of the present invention.
Shows its internal configuration. In the second embodiment, the same or similar portions as those of the embodiment (first embodiment) described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 25 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted.

The digital still camera shown in FIG.
The digital still camera differs from the digital still camera in FIG. 1 in that a card reading unit 74 is added as input means for personal information (image additional information). A card reader 74 is formed on the right side of the digital still camera 1, and information acquisition from the card reader 74 is controlled by the CPU 22 built in the camera.

Recording section 77 of ID card 76 (recording medium)
For example, information such as image information representing the person's face, name, relationship, date of birth, telephone number, office or school name is recorded in advance, and the ID card 76 is stored in the card of the digital still camera 1. When the information passes through the groove of the reading unit 74, the information of the ID card 76 is read, and the information recorded in the recording unit 77 is taken into the digital still camera 1.

The form of the ID card 76 is not particularly limited, and may be a magnetic card or an IC card. The reading method may be any of a magnetic method, an optical method, and an electromagnetic method. It is preferable that the card owner protects the information of a specific item from the information recorded on the ID card 76 so that the information captured in the photographed image can be selectively limited.

Next, a method of registering information using an ID card will be described. As shown in FIG. 28, when the forward button 34 or the backward button 36 is operated to send the icon after shooting or during reproduction, the ID card registration button 80
Is displayed. When the ID card registration button 80 is touched on this screen, the mode shifts to the ID card registration mode.

FIG. 29 is a flowchart of the sequence in the ID card registration mode. When the ID card registration mode starts, first, a message prompting the user to insert the ID card 76 into the card reading unit 74 is displayed on the screen of the display unit 10 to prompt the user to enter the ID card 76.
Is inserted (step S701). When the user passes the ID card 76 through the groove of the card reading section 74 according to this instruction, the information on the ID card 76 is read (step S702). Next, it is determined whether or not the information of the ID card 76 has been read (step S704).
If the information of the ID card 76 has not been read, such as an ID card not inserted or an ID card reading error, the process jumps to step S712 described below.

On the other hand, if the ID card 76 is correctly read in step S704, the obtained information is displayed on the display unit 10
(Step S706). At this time, an OK button and a cancel button for confirming whether or not the acquired information can be registered are displayed on the screen, and the input of the confirmation by the user is accepted. At this time, of the read subject information, an image of the person's face as an icon picture is displayed on the display unit 10.
May be displayed in the upper left area 10A or the like.

Next, a confirmation instruction from the user is determined (step S708). Here, if the OK button is pressed, registration of the information read from the ID card 76 is executed (step S710), and if the cancel button is pressed, registration of the information read from the ID card 76 is stopped. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S712, where it is determined whether the return button 38 has been pressed. If the return button 38 has not been pressed, the process proceeds to step S
Return to 701, and if return button 38 is pressed, ID
Exit the card registration mode.

By inputting information using the ID card 76 in this way, there is no need to perform any operation such as extracting an icon image or inputting various information at the time of icon registration, and the information registration can be performed more easily. It can be carried out. In the above-described second embodiment, the case where information to be registered is read from the ID card 76 has been described. However, the method for acquiring information is not limited to this, and another information recording medium may be used.

Further, it is also conceivable that information to be registered is obtained by transmitting information to a remote place by electromagnetic or optical action, or by using communication means for receiving information from a remote place. FIGS. 30 and 31 show a mode (third embodiment of the present invention) in which image additional information can be directly received from a subject using a communication unit. In the third embodiment, the same or similar portions as those in the above-described first embodiment and the second embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted.

Digital still camera 1 shown in FIG.
1 differs from the digital still camera of FIG. 1 in that a card reading unit (communication unit) 82 is added to the front of the camera as information acquisition means. This card reading unit 82
It communicates with the information communication section 85 of the ID card 84 shown in FIG. 1 to read information recorded on the ID card 84. The communication method may be optical or electromagnetic. However, if the optical communication method is used, the ID card will appear when the subject is photographed. Therefore, it is desirable to use the electromagnetic communication method.

The internal configuration of the digital still camera 1 is the same as that of FIG. 27 except that the communication unit 82 replaces the card reading unit 74 described in FIG. FIG.
As shown in the figure, the subject 8 wearing the ID card 84
When the camera is pointed at 6 and the shutter button 9 is pressed, shooting is performed, and communication with the ID card 84 of the subject 86 via the communication unit 82 is performed, and subject information is read from the ID card 84. Then, the read subject information is automatically taken into the photographed image and registered as a subject ID. Of the subject information read at this time, an image of the face of the person as a picture of the icon is displayed as an image for confirmation in the upper left area 10A of the image display unit 10 (flashing display).
Is done. As described above, a part of the area 1 of the image display unit 10
By displaying the confirmation image at 0A, it can be checked whether or not the person of the subject 86 is correct.

If another person who is not the subject of the photographing wears the same ID card 84, the information of all the persons facing the camera is taken into the digital still camera 1, and the information is taken together with the photographed image. In order to avoid such inconvenience, information about the person (subject) to be photographed by this camera is registered once in advance in the camera, and information for identifying the person is registered in advance. It is preferable that the information of the ID card 84 other than the person is not taken in.

As described above, by registering a person to be photographed in the camera in advance, it is possible to prevent the information of an unrelated person from being taken in and prevent the personal information from being stolen by a third party. ID by communication as described above
By adopting a mode of taking in the information of the card 84, the image additional information can be more easily input to the camera, and the personal information of the subject 86 can be automatically added to the image at the same time as the photographing.

Next, an example of a means for retrieving an image recorded by the digital still camera described in the first to third embodiments will be described. In the description of the first to third embodiments, the case where the identification information is added to the image is mainly described. However, the digital still camera may be provided with a function of searching for an image using the added identification information. preferable.

FIG. 32 shows an example of the search screen. When the image search mode is selected, for example, a search screen as shown in FIG. 32 is displayed. An icon for inputting a search condition is displayed on the left end of the screen, and the user operates the forward button 34 and the backward button 36 to appropriately select icons such as a person, a genre, and a date. ) And OR (or) connectors to input desired search conditions.

The current search condition displayed in the search condition display field 10B at the top of the screen is indicated by a forward button (reference numerals 88 and 89).
Thus, the screen can be scrolled in the left-right direction. As the search conditions are input using the icons at the left end of the screen, the indexes (reduced images) of the images that match the conditions are sequentially displayed on the index display unit 10C. The index images arranged and displayed on the index display unit 10C can be enlarged and displayed by the enlargement display button 90, and can be scrolled to the left or right side of the screen by the forward buttons (reference numerals 91 and 92).

As described above, the input of the search condition employs the same icon format as the input of the identification information, so that the search condition can be easily input. Also, by utilizing the information added to the image, it is possible to easily select an image that matches the search condition from the image data of a plurality of frames,
Early search becomes possible.

[0088]

As described above, according to the digital still camera of the present invention, simply by selecting an icon displayed on the screen of the display unit, information associated with the icon is recorded together with the image. Therefore, necessary information for identifying the image content can be added by a simple operation. In addition, by utilizing the information added in this way, it is easy to organize the images stored after shooting, and to easily search for images.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a front external view of a digital still camera according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a rear view of the digital still camera of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an internal configuration of the digital still camera.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a display screen of a digital still camera.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a flow of an operation in a shooting mode of the digital still camera.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a display example of a genre icon.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing another display example of a genre icon.

8 is a flowchart showing a shooting sequence of a digital still camera having the display mode of FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a display example at the time of image reproduction.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing a flow of an operation in a reproduction mode.

FIG. 11 shows a display example of a registration button.

FIG. 12 is a diagram showing a state of icon registration;

FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of inputting personal information.

FIG. 14 is a flowchart of a main sequence when performing a new icon registration process at the time of shooting;

FIG. 15 is a flowchart of a subroutine when inputting and registering ID information during photographing;

FIG. 16 is a diagram showing an example of a state of an icon at the time of product sale.

FIG. 17 is a diagram showing a display example of an icon change menu screen.

FIG. 18 is a diagram showing a display example of an icon selection screen.

FIG. 19 is a diagram showing a state of icon registration.

FIG. 20 is a flowchart showing the flow of processing in an icon change mode.

FIG. 21 is a diagram showing a display example of a delete menu screen.

FIG. 22 is a diagram showing an example in which an icon for selecting an erasure item is displayed.

FIG. 23 is a diagram showing an example of a confirmation dialog when only icons are deleted.

FIG. 24 is a diagram showing an example of a confirmation dialog when deleting all information.

FIG. 25 is a flowchart showing the flow of processing in an erase mode.

FIG. 26 is a configuration diagram of a digital still camera according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 27 is a block diagram showing the internal configuration of the digital still camera in FIG. 26;

FIG. 28 is a diagram showing a display example of an ID card registration menu.

FIG. 29 is a diagram showing processing contents in an ID card registration mode.

FIG. 30 is a configuration diagram of a digital still camera according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 31 is an explanatory view used to explain a usage mode of the digital still camera shown in FIG. 30;

FIG. 32 is a diagram showing a display example of a search screen.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Digital still camera 2 ... Imaging part 8 ... Power switch 9 ... Shutter button 10 ... Display part 10B ... Search condition display column 12 ... Touch panel 16 ... Built-in memory (recording part) 22 ... Central processing unit (CPU) 30 ... Person icon 40 genre icon 54 registration frame 74 card reading unit 76, 84 ID card (recording medium) 82 communication unit (card reading unit)

──────────────────────────────────────────────────の Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁶ Identification code FI H04N 5/225 H04N 5/91 L G06F 15/401 310C

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. A digital still camera for recording image data representing a subject image obtained through a photographing lens and an image sensor in a recording unit, a display unit for displaying a photographed image, and a display unit disposed in front of the display unit. A touch panel, an icon displayed on a screen of the display unit, an input unit for inputting information associated with the icon by selecting an icon via the touch panel, and information input from the input unit. A digital still camera, comprising: an information adding unit that adds to the image data and records the image data in the recording unit. 2. An apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: an icon creating unit for creating an icon from the photographed image; and an information registering unit for registering information associated with the icon created by the icon creating unit. Digital still camera. 3. When an icon is selected via the touch panel, image data of a subject image is recorded in a recording unit, and information associated with the icon is automatically added. The digital still camera according to claim 1, wherein 4. A reading means for reading information recorded on a recording medium, an icon creating means for creating an icon based on the information read from the reading means, and an icon based on the information read from the reading means. 2. The digital still camera according to claim 1, further comprising at least one of information registration means for registering information to be associated. 5. The digital still camera according to claim 4, wherein said reading means has a communication unit for communicating with a recording medium in a non-contact manner. 6. A search condition input unit for inputting a search condition using an icon of the input unit, the storage unit having a storage unit capable of recording an image of a plurality of frames in the recording unit; 2. An image search means for searching, based on the information recorded by said information recording means, image data that satisfies said search condition from among the image data of the plurality of frame portions. Digital still camera.