JP2000261704A - System and method for adding position information to picture - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To record a photographed location, information of another location relating to the photographed location, and which route is to be traced to return to the photographed location by adding position information to a picture. SOLUTION: In the system and method for adding position information 120 to a picture 110, global positioning information 120 is extracted from a global positioning satellite signal and it is recorded on an exposed picture 110 such as a photograph 110 picked up. In the case of identifying the photographed location or providing assistance to return to the photographing, a map 130 including the location at which the photograph 110 is picked up is added to the photograph 110.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

The present invention relates generally to image capture and storage devices, and more particularly to digital cameras.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Personal cameras using digital technology are becoming more and more popular. Instead of recording the optical image in analog form on photographic film, the image is stored in digital form on a medium, such as (1) camera specific, (2) computer disk, (3) videotape, or ( 4) Any other recording medium may be used. The image reproduction may then be performed, if necessary, on a medium usable by an image reproducing device such as (1) an image viewer, (2) a computer, (3) a web television or (4) another image reproducing device, and This can be achieved by transferring the images stored in a form readable by those devices.

[0003] It is increasingly difficult to remember the exact time and place where a particular photo was taken, the older the photo. Notes taken during or immediately after exposure by the photographer can also help, but are often inadequate or lost. further,
Taking notes takes considerable time and effort and is impractical when performing multiple exposures. By using a clock inside the camera, it is now possible to add the date and time of exposure (shooting) directly to a photographic image. Such techniques solve problems associated with determining when a picture was taken, but do not address where the picture was taken.

In fact, in most cases, not only is it known where the picture was taken, but also where it was taken in relation to some other known location, and even the available paths to return to the location of the picture. That is important.

[0005]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In various embodiments, the present invention relates to a location where a picture was taken, where that location is relative to another known location, and which path to return to that location. Provide a solution to conveniently record what to follow.

[0006]

According to the present invention, in a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a means for adding information for identifying a place where an image is recorded is disclosed. Global Positioning Sat (GPSS)
It is possible to add to the image not only the position information obtained through the ellite system) but also the map of the area where the image is recorded. Adding a map will help you return to where you recorded the image. Also,
Information on a place such as a place name may be manually input. With this information, the following questions could be asked: (1) "where the image was recorded" (2) "where the image was recorded in relation to a known location" and (3) "expose the image" What path can I take to get back to where I left off? "

[0007] In a preferred embodiment, the images are recorded using a digital or video camera. However, it is also possible to use other recording and exposure devices.

[0008] A major advantage of the embodiment described in this patent specification over the prior art is that it includes location or location information with the image. It is no longer necessary to make notes at the time the image is recorded or to recall the location of the recording or exposure at a later date. Global positioning information is available via the global positioning satellite system and can be recorded with the image at the time the image was taken.
A map containing the location where the image was taken can be added via auxiliary software to help identify the location and to help return to the location at a later date. A map is an identifier (identifie
along with r) may include streets and / or paths and paths from an easily identifiable starting point to there.

[0009] Other aspects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the drawings, illustrating by way of example the principles of the invention.

The drawings provide visual depictions used to more fully describe the invention, which will be used by those skilled in the art to better understand the invention and its inherent advantages. In the figures, like reference numerals indicate corresponding elements.

[0011]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION INTRODUCTION As shown for illustrative purposes, this patent discloses, in a preferred embodiment thereof, means for adding information to identify where an image was recorded. It is possible to add not only positional information such as obtained through a global positioning satellite system (GPSS), but also a map of an area where the image is recorded to the image. Adding a map will help you return to where you recorded the image. In the following detailed description and drawings of the drawings, like elements are identified by like reference numerals.

2. In a preferred embodiment of the device described in this patent specification, the following information is provided: (1) the location where the image was recorded, for example obtained from a global positioning satellite, (2)
It is possible to add, to the image, a manually input place name, and (3) a map of an area including and indicating the place where the image was recorded and a route for returning to the place. With this information, the following questions can be asked:
(1) "where the image was recorded"; (2) "where the image was recorded in relation to the known location"; and (3) "what way to return to the location where the image was exposed". Can be taken? "

FIG. 1 is a diagram of a composite image 100 according to the present invention. The composite image 100 includes an exposure image 110, position information 120, and a map 130. The exposure image 110 is
Also referred to as image 110, for example, video 1 of a physical scene
10 or picture 110. In this specification, the exposure image 110 is also referred to as an image 110. Position information 120 and map 1 regarding exposure image 110 on composite image 100
The 30 locations are not important. The locations shown in FIG. 1 are for illustration purposes only.

FIG. 2 is a diagram of a system for obtaining location information 120 according to the present invention. In one exemplary embodiment, the location information 1 is, for example, global positioning information.
Reference numeral 20 denotes a position transmitting device 22 which is, for example, a global positioning satellite by a position information signal 210 which is, for example, a radio signal.
0 to an image exposure device 2 such as a digital camera
The data is transmitted to the position detecting and adding device 230 in 40. For the purpose of illustration only, two global positioning satellites 220 are shown in FIG. It may be received from the positioning satellite 220 at any time. The position information 120 can be automatically combined with the exposure image 110 by the position detection addition device 230 in one embodiment, or manually via the control switch 250 connected to the position detection addition device 230 in another embodiment. . The control switch 250 is typically arranged in the image exposure device 240.

FIG. 3 is a diagram of an apparatus for combining location information 120 and map 130 with image 110 according to the present invention. In a preferred embodiment, the wireless receiver 320, which is a component of the position detecting and adding apparatus 230 shown in FIGS.
20 is received. The wireless receiver 320 transfers the signal to a first logic operation circuit 330, which is configured to extract data to extract the position information 120 from the signal. In one preferred embodiment, location information 120 is global positioning information 120 obtained from a system of global positioning satellites 220. Global positioning information 1
20 is then transferred to a second logic operation circuit 340, which is configured to combine the data to combine the position information 120 with the exposure image 110. As shown in FIG. 3 for illustrative purposes, in one embodiment, composite image 100 includes location information 120 and composite image 10.
Includes 0 combinations. In this and other embodiments, the various components of composite image 100 may exist as a single data entity or as various data entities that are linked together in some manner. For example, the data format of composite image 100 may include a single or multiple data streams, or may include a single or multiple files.

In another preferred embodiment, the second logical operation circuit 340 includes the position information 120 and the exposure image 11.
0 is transferred to a third logic operation circuit 350, which converts the map 130 to the position information 120 and the exposed image 11
It is configured to combine data to combine with zero. In another embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3 for illustrative purposes, composite image 100 includes a combination of map 130, location information 120, and composite image 100.

In yet another embodiment, the third logic operation circuit 350 converts the combined image 100 including the map 130, the location information 120, and the exposure image 110 into a fourth image.
, Which is, for example, a computer magnetic disk, a video magnetic tape, C
It is configured to store the image 100 coupled to a storage medium 370, which may be a D-ROM, a digital camera storage medium, or other medium.

In still another embodiment, the second logical operation circuit 340 includes the position information 120 and the exposure image 11.
The combined image 100, including the zeros, is transferred to a fourth logic operation circuit 360, such as a computer magnetic disk, video magnetic tape, CD-ROM, digital camera storage medium, or other medium. Storage medium 3
70 is configured to store the combined image 100.

In still another embodiment, the storage medium 370 typically stores the fifth logical operation circuit 380 at a later date.
And the circuit is configured to retrieve data to retrieve the composite image 100 from the storage medium 370. As shown in FIG. 3 for illustrative purposes, in one embodiment, composite image 100 includes a combination of location information 120 and composite image 100, but in another embodiment, composite image 100 includes a map 130 ,
It includes a combination of the position information 120 and the composite image 100.

In an alternative preferred embodiment, the fifth
The logical operation circuit 380 of the position information 120 and the exposure image 1
The sixth logical operation circuit 39
0, and the circuit transfers the map 130 to the location information 120.
And combining the data to combine with the exposure image 110. FIG. 3 for illustrative purposes
As shown in FIG.
Is the map 130, the location information 120, and the composite image 10
Includes 0 combinations.

In another embodiment, the location information 120
Is a control switch 250 shown in FIG.
Is manually added to the exposure image 110 via the.

In various embodiments, the second logical operation circuit 340, the third logical operation circuit 350, and the sixth logical operation circuit 390 have the main functions of the exposure image 11
Since information is added to 0, the same device may be used.

FIG. 4 is a diagram of an apparatus for viewing a composite image according to the present invention. In one preferred embodiment, the composite image 100 in electronic form is read by the image playback device 410, which is, for example, a digital image playback device, a web TV, a portable computer, a desktop computer, or other computer. Composite image 100
Is displayed on the playback screen 420 of the image playback device 420. In another embodiment, map 130 is combined with composite image 100 using a computer program 430 running on image playback device 410. Map 130
May include streets and / or paths along with an identifier indicating the location of the image, as well as a path from an easily identifiable starting point to there. Computer program 43
0 allows the map 130 to be updated with changes in physical characteristics. In particular, the road or path is image 1.
If added to the ten locations over a period of time, the map 130 added to the image 110 can be easily updated by the computer program 430, thereby making it easier to return to the locations. Composite image 100
Can be viewed on image playback device 420 or another image playback device 420 at a later date.

3. Findings of Conclusion A major advantage of the embodiment described in this patent specification over the prior art is that it includes location or location information 120 along with the image. It is no longer necessary to make notes at the time the image is recorded or to recall the location of the recording or exposure at a later date. The global positioning information 120 is available via the global positioning satellite system 220, and is used when the image 110 is captured.
Can be recorded along with.

As an additional advantage, the map 130 containing the location where the image 110 was taken is added via the computer program 430 to help identify that location and to return to the location at a later date. It is possible to The map 130 may include streets and / or paths with identifiers indicating the location of the image, as well as paths from an easily identifiable starting point to there. As a further advantage, the computer program 43
0 allows the map 130 to be updated with changes in physical characteristics. In particular, the road or path is image 1.
If added to the ten locations over a period of time, the map 130 added to the image 110 can be easily updated with software as described above, thereby making it easier to return to the locations.

Although the present invention has been described in detail with respect to preferred embodiments thereof, the embodiments described are by way of example and not by way of limitation. It will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made in the form and details of the described embodiments and, as a result, equivalent embodiments are encompassed by the following claims.

[0027] In the following, exemplary embodiments comprising combinations of the various components of the present invention will be described. 1. An apparatus (230) for combining the location information (120) with the image (110), comprising a wireless receiver (320) for receiving a wireless signal (210), and a wireless signal (2).
A first logical operation circuit (33) configured to extract data in order to extract position information (120) from (10);
An apparatus (230) comprising: (0) and a second logic operation circuit (340) configured to combine data to combine the position information (120) with the image (110). 2. The apparatus (230) of claim 1, wherein the image (110) is obtained by an image exposure device (240) selected from the group consisting of a digital camera (240) and a video camera (240). 3. The position information (120) is a global positioning satellite (220)
The device according to the above item 1 (23) obtained from the system of
0). 4. The position information (120) is transferred to the second logical operation circuit (34).
Device (230) according to claim 1, further comprising a control switch (250) for inputting to 0). 5. The first logical operation circuit (360) further configured to store a combination of the position information (120) and the image (110) in a storage medium (370).
The described device (230). 6. The second logical operation circuit (340) further stores the map (1
30. The apparatus (23) according to claim 1, configured to combine the location information (120) and the image (110).
0). 7. A method for combining location information (120) with an image (110), comprising: receiving a wireless signal (210); extracting location information (120) from the wireless signal (210); Combining the information (120) with the image (110). 8. Digital camera (240) and video camera (24
An image exposure device (240) selected from the group consisting of:
The method of claim 7, further comprising obtaining an image (110) by using. 9. The method of claim 7, wherein the receiving step receives a wireless signal (210) having location information (120) from a system of global positioning satellites (220). 10. 7. The method of claim 7, further comprising the step of combining the map (130) with the location information (120) and the image (110).
The described method.

[0028]

According to the present invention, it is possible to conveniently record the location where a picture was taken, where that location is relative to another known location, and which path to return to that location. It becomes possible.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram of a composite image according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram of a system for acquiring location information according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a diagram of an apparatus for combining position information and a map with an image according to the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a diagram of an apparatus for viewing a composite image according to the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 110 Image 120 Position information 130 Map 210 Radio signal 220 Global positioning satellite 230 Position detection and addition device 240 Image exposure device 250 Control switch 320 Radio receiver 330 First logical operation circuit 340 Second logical operation circuit 360 Fourth logic Arithmetic circuit 370 Storage medium

Claims (1)

[Claims] An apparatus (230) for combining position information (120) with an image (110), comprising a wireless receiver (32) for receiving a wireless signal (210).
0), a first logic operation circuit (330) configured to extract data to extract position information (120) from the radio signal (210), and the position information (120) to an image (110). A second logic operation circuit (340) configured to combine the data for combining with the second logic operation circuit (340).