JPH11308566A - Electronic camera - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To print out a composite image resulting from compositing a photographed image and a map image denoting the photographed position and to prevent the map image from being hidden by the photographed image. SOLUTION: Positioning data denoting a photographed place are acquired from a GPS unit 52 and a map data generator 58 stores map data denoting a map image for a prescribed range to a consecutive shot print memory 42 based on the positioning data. Furthermore, image data denoting a reduced image resulting from applying thinning processing to the image data acquired by an image pickup means (solid-state image pickup element 12) are generated and overwritten on addresses corresponding to the positioning data in the consecutive shot print memory 42. The image data stored in the consecutive shot print memory 42 are outputted to an internal printer 54 to obtain a composite image where the reduced image is imbedded in the map image.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an electronic camera,
In particular, the present invention relates to an electronic camera in which a GPS (Global Positioning System) and a printer are respectively built or connected.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there has been proposed an electronic camera having a built-in printer capable of printing a captured image or an image read from a memory card (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 9-224).
No. 206). An electronic camera that captures position information from a GPS device and records map information and an image has also been proposed (Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. Hei 7-288725).

[0003]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION However, GPS
No electronic camera has a built-in or connected device and printer. In addition, an electronic camera including a GPS device and a printer may be configured to print a captured image and a map image indicating a location of the captured image. In this case,
If printed separately, the correspondence between the captured image and the map image becomes unclear. On the other hand, if the captured image is printed over the map image, the map image is hidden.

The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and can print a composite image obtained by synthesizing a photographed image and a map image indicating the photographed place, and hide the map image by the photographed image. It is an object of the present invention to provide an electronic camera which can be prevented.

[0005]

According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided an electronic camera having a GPS device and a printer, which captures an image of a subject and obtains image data representing the subject. Means for creating image data representing a reduced image obtained by thinning out the image data obtained by the imaging means;
A map data generating means for generating map data indicating a map image in a predetermined range based on the position information measured by the S device, and map data generated from the map data generating means and image data indicating the reduced image. Synthesizing means for synthesizing the reduced image at a position indicated by the position information on the map image indicated by the map data, and image data synthesized by the synthesizing means to the printer. Output means for printing the synthesized image on the printer.

That is, position information indicating a photographing location is obtained from a GPS device, and map data indicating a map image in a predetermined range is fetched from a map data generating means based on the position information. Image data representing a reduced image obtained by thinning data is created. Then, by combining the map data and the image data representing the reduced image and outputting the combined image data to a printer, a composite image in which the photographed image and the map image representing the photographing location are combined is printed. I am trying to do it.
Note that the image to be combined with the map image is a reduced image so that the captured image does not hide the map image.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, the position information measured by the GPS device is recorded on a recording medium together with image data indicating the reduced image at the time of photographing, and the position information is recorded together with the image data from the recording medium at printing. It is characterized by having recording and reproducing means for reading. According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided an electronic camera having a GPS device, wherein: an image pickup means for picking up an image of a subject to obtain image data representing the subject; Means for generating image data indicating the map data, map data generating means for generating map data indicating a map image of a predetermined range based on position information measured by the GPS device at the time of shooting, and map data generating means for generating the map data. Synthesizing means for synthesizing the map data and the image data indicating the reduced image, and synthesizing means for synthesizing the reduced image at a position indicated by the position information on the map image indicated by the map data, Recording means for recording the image data synthesized by the synthesizing means on a recording medium.

That is, as in the first aspect of the present invention, map data and image data representing a reduced image are combined, and the combined image data is recorded on a recording medium. Therefore, by outputting the combined image data recorded on the recording medium to an appropriate printer, a combined image in which the captured image and the map image indicating the capturing location are combined can be printed.

Further, the map data generating means has a scale selecting means for selecting a scale of the map image, and generates the map data of the scale selected by the scale selecting means. It is characterized by. Further, the map data generating means generates map data such that the position indicated by the position information is the center of the map image, and the synthesizing means generates the map data such that the reduced image is the center of the map image. The data and the image data are combined. Thereby, the reduced photographed image is automatically printed at the center position of the map image (this center position corresponds to the photographed position).

[0010]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Preferred embodiments of an electronic camera according to the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an electronic camera according to the present invention. The electronic camera shown in FIG. 1 has a GPS unit 52, an internal printer 54, and a map data generator 58 in addition to the components necessary to function as a normal electronic camera.
have.

In this electronic camera, when the release switch 50 is pressed, the main CPU 30 detects this and sends a command to the camera CPU 22. Camera CPU
Reference numeral 22 performs focus control, photometry, and exposure control, and forms image light of a subject on the light receiving surface of the solid-state imaging device (CCD) 12 via the optical unit 10. CCD12
Converts the image light focused on the light receiving surface into signal charges of an amount corresponding to the light amount. The signal charges thus accumulated are sequentially read out as voltage signals (image signals) corresponding to the signal charges based on the clock pulse from the clock generation circuit 24. The image signal output from the CCD 12 is
The signal is applied to an analog processing circuit 14, where white balance adjustment and gamma correction are performed. The image signal analog-processed by the analog processing circuit 14 is converted into digital data by the A / D converter 16 and then temporarily stored in the buffer memory 18.

The camera CPU 22 operates the flash control circuit 26 when the subject is dark. The strobe control circuit 26 controls the charging of a main condenser (not shown) and the discharge (light emission) to the xenon tube 28 in synchronization with the operation of the release switch 50 when the subject is dark.
Furthermore, the charge accumulation time (shutter speed) in the CCD 12 is controlled via the clock generation circuit 24. The clock generation circuit 24 includes the CCD 12 and the analog processing circuit 14.
And a clock pulse for driving the A / D converter 16 to synchronize each circuit.

The YC processing circuit 20 converts the image data in the buffer memory 18 into YC signals (luminance signal Y and chroma signal C) by a command applied from the main CPU 30 via the control bus 23, and converts the YC signal again. The data is stored in the buffer memory 18. After that, the main CPU 30 sends a command to the compression / expansion circuit 32, thereby
The decompression circuit 32 compresses the YC signal in the buffer memory 18 and sends the compressed image data to the card interface 3.
4 to the memory card 36.

The image data in the buffer memory 18 is thinned out to create image data representing a reduced image (for example, a thumbnail image of 80 × 60 pixels), and this image data is transferred to the memory card 36 via the card interface 34.
Record in the area specified. On the other hand, the main CPU 30
Is connected to the output terminal of the GPS unit 52, and when the release switch 50 is pressed, the main CPU 30 executes GP serial communication by asynchronous serial communication.
The S unit 52 captures the positioning data obtained by positioning, and stores the positioning data in the memory card 3 corresponding to the image data.
6. Record in the determined area.

Next, a case where a normal image (original image) is printed will be described. In this case, the operation keys 48
When the middle print switch is pressed, the main CPU 30
Detects this, and transmits a print start command to the print / continuous shooting CPU 44 via the communication bus 25. Upon receiving the print start command, the print / continuous shooting CPU 44 occupies the memory bus 21 first. Next, print / continuous shooting C
The PU 44 is connected to the compression / decompression circuit 32 via the control bus 23.
And causes the compressed image data stored in the memory card 36 to be read out via the card interface 34. The read compressed image data is
After being expanded into a YC signal by the compression / expansion circuit 32,
The data is temporarily stored in the buffer memory 18.

The print / continuous shooting CPU 44 converts the YC signal stored in the buffer memory 18 into RGB data and stores it in the continuous shooting / print memory 42.
The GB data is output to the internal printer 54 via the printer interface 46, and the original image is printed.
At this time, the internal printer 54 is connected to the print / continuous shooting CPU 4.
4. As the internal printer 54, for example, a color printer of a light fixing type thermal recording system is applied, but the type of the printer is not limited to this.
In FIG. 1, reference numeral 38 denotes a liquid crystal display panel for performing various displays such as frame numbers and the like, and reference numeral 40 denotes a battery for supplying power to each unit in the electronic camera including the internal printer 54.

Next, the case of printing a composite image according to the present invention will be described. First, a composite image according to the present invention will be described. As shown in FIG. 2, the photographed image (original image) A and the map image B in a predetermined range around the photographing position where the original image was photographed have substantially the same image size. When combined on the map image B, the map image B is hidden by the original image A. Therefore, instead of the oridyl image A, the above-described reduced image A ′ is synthesized on the map image B to obtain a synthesized image C.
It should be noted that when the reduced image A 'is combined, the reduced image A' is combined so as to be located at the shooting position on the map image B (the center of the map image in this embodiment).

When printing the composite image C shown in FIG. 2, first, the user selects the printing of the composite image C with the operation keys 48, and then presses the print switch. Main C
The PU 30 detects this, and transmits a print start command of the composite image C to the print / continuous shooting CPU 44 via the communication bus 25. When receiving the print start command of the composite image, the print / continuous shooting CPU 44 first occupies the memory bus 21. Subsequently, the print / continuous shooting CPU 44 reads out the image data of the reduced image stored in the memory card 36 via the card interface 34 and temporarily stores the image data in the buffer memory 18.

Further, the print / continuous photographing CPU 44 controls the memory card 36 in accordance with the image data of the reduced image A '.
Is read, and map data (RGB data) indicating a map image B in a predetermined range is generated from the map data generator 58 based on the positioning data.
The map data is stored in the continuous shooting / print memory 42. Subsequently, the print / continuous shooting CPU 44 converts the image data (YC signal) of the reduced image A ′ stored in the buffer memory 18 into RGB data, which corresponds to the positioning data of the continuous / print memory 42. The address (in this embodiment, the address corresponding to the center of the map image) is overwritten.

As a result, image data (RGB data) indicating the composite image C in which the reduced image A 'is embedded in the map image B is stored in the continuous shooting / print memory 42. The RGB data stored in the continuous shooting / print memory 42 is transferred to the internal printer 5 via the printer interface 46.
4 to print the composite image C. In this embodiment, the original image A and the composite image C are printed separately. However, as shown in FIG. 3, the original image A and the composite image C are divided into one print sheet. You may make it print. Alternatively, the original image A and the composite image C may be printed on the front and back of one print sheet.

Further, a scale selection switch may be provided in the map data generator 58 so that enlargement / reduction of the map data generated from the map data generator 58 can be arbitrarily selected. In this embodiment, an image representing a composite image is formed from image data of a reduced image recorded on the memory card 36 and map data generated by the map data generator 58 based on positioning data recorded together with the image data. Although the data is created and printed, the present invention is not limited to this. Image data representing the composite image may be created and printed when the release switch is pressed. That is, the composite image may be printed directly when the release switch is pressed.

In this embodiment, an electronic camera having an internal printer 54 has been described. However, the present invention can be applied to an electronic camera to which an external printer 56 can be connected. Further, when the release switch is pressed, image data representing the composite image may be created and recorded on a memory card. In this case, an electronic camera having no printer may be used. Note that by recording image data indicating a composite image on a recording medium such as a memory card,
Image data representing the composite image can be input to a personal computer, or the composite image can be printed by any printer.

[0023]

As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to print a composite image obtained by synthesizing a photographed image and a map image indicating the photographing place, and to perform a simple operation such as a print instruction of the composite image. Thus, a composite image in which the photographed image and the map image are composited can be obtained. In particular, since the captured image is reduced and the reduced image is embedded at the capturing position on the map image, the captured image does not hide the map image,
The photographing position can be recognized from the map image.

[Brief description of the drawings]

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

FIG. 2 is a diagram used to explain a composite image according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an embodiment in which an original image and a composite image are printed side by side.

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 10 optical unit 12 solid-state imaging device (CCD) 18 buffer memory 20 YC processing circuit 22 camera CPU 30 main CPU 32 compression / expansion circuit 34 card interface 36 memory card 42 continuous shooting / print memory 44 print / continuous shooting CPU 46 printer interface 48 operation keys 50 release switch 54 internal printer 56 external printer

Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁶ Identification code FI H04N 5/76 H04N 5/76 E 7/18 7/18 U

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. An electronic camera having a GPS device and a printer, wherein: an image pickup means for picking up an image of a subject to obtain image data representing the subject; and a reduced image obtained by thinning out the image data obtained by the image pickup means. Means for generating image data; map data generating means for generating map data indicating a map image of a predetermined range based on position information measured by the GPS device at the time of photographing; map generated by the map data generating means Combining means for combining data and image data indicating the reduced image, wherein the combining means combines the reduced image at a position indicated by the position information on the map image indicated by the map data; Means for outputting the image data synthesized by the means to the printer, and causing the printer to print the synthesized image. An electronic camera characterized by the following. 2. A recording / reproducing means for recording position information measured by the GPS device together with image data indicating the reduced image at the time of photographing on a recording medium, and reading the position information together with the image data from the recording medium at the time of printing. The electronic camera according to claim 1, wherein: 3. An electronic camera having a GPS device, wherein: an image pickup means for picking up an image of a subject to obtain image data representing the subject; and image data representing a reduced image obtained by thinning out the image data obtained by the image pickup means. Means for generating map data, a map data generating means for generating map data indicating a map image of a predetermined range based on position information measured by the GPS device at the time of shooting, and map data generated from the map data generating means. Combining means for combining the image data indicating the reduced image, wherein the combining means combines the reduced image at a position indicated by the position information on the map image indicated by the map data; and An electronic camera, comprising: recording means for recording the synthesized image data on a recording medium. 4. The map data generating means includes a scale selecting means for selecting a scale of a map image, and generates map data of a scale selected by the scale selecting means. 4. The electronic camera according to any one of 2 and 3. 5. The map data generating means generates map data such that the position indicated by the position information is at the center of the map image, and the synthesizing means is such that the reduced image is at the center of the map image. 5. The electronic camera according to claim 1, wherein the map data and the image data are combined.