JP2000316116A - Electronic camera - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an electronic camera equipment with a picture printing device for easily creating the print-out matter of a panoramic picture based on plural picture data photographed in a panorama mode. SOLUTION: This electronic camera is provided with an image pickup means 12 which generates a picture signal by photoelectrically converting a subject photographed by a photographic lens system 11, and subjecting it to prescribed signal processing, a recording means 19 which records a picture signal obtained by the image pickup means in a recording medium 16 as picture data, and a printing means 35 which print-out a picture based on the picture signal obtained by the image pickup means on a medium for printing. The image pickup means has a panorama mode for compositing pictures based on the plural picture data photographed by overlapping one part of a photographic screen into one picture, and at the time of printing each picture based on the plural picture data obtained by photographing in the panorama mode on the medium for printing one by one, the printing means prints the picture based on each picture data on the medium for printing, and prints an index indicating the overlapped region of the pictures.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an electronic camera, and more particularly, to recording an image signal generated by subjecting a subject image to photoelectric conversion using an image sensor or the like, and reproducing and displaying an image based on the signal. The present invention relates to an electronic camera integrally provided with an image printing apparatus for creating a printout of this image, and to a digital camera having a panoramic photographing function for synthesizing a series of plural images.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, an electrical image signal is obtained by photoelectrically converting an optical subject image formed by a photographing lens system using an image pickup device such as a CCD, and this image signal is converted into a predetermined form. Digital image data can be generated by performing signal processing such that the digital image data is recorded on a recording medium, and an image based on the digital image data thus obtained is displayed on a liquid crystal display (LCD) or the like. A so-called digital camera, electronic still camera, or the like (hereinafter simply referred to as an electronic camera) configured to be able to display by means is generally put into practical use.

The image data obtained by such an electronic camera can be reproduced and displayed by using the display means as described above, and by transferring the image data to various external information devices, It can be used in various ways.

For example, by transferring image data obtained by an electronic camera to an image printing apparatus as an external information device, a hard copy of an image represented by the image data, that is, a printout of the image can be created. For this purpose, various proposals have been made and small-sized image printing apparatuses that are easy to carry around have been put into practical use.

Further, the electronic camera as described above and an image printing apparatus capable of producing a printout (hard copy) of an image based on image data obtained by the electronic camera are integrally formed, and a photographing operation is performed. Various proposals have been made in the past for making a hard copy of the captured image immediately after the above.

On the other hand, since image data obtained by a normal electronic camera or the like is digital data, for example, an image synthesizing process for generating a single large image by superimposing images represented by a plurality of image data. Is relatively easy to do.

[0007] Therefore, by performing image synthesis processing for connecting a series of images represented by a plurality of image data obtained by shooting and recording so that a part of the shooting screen is overlapped, one image having a wider field of view can be obtained. An electronic camera having a panoramic mode capable of executing a panoramic image synthesizing process or the like for generating image data representing an elongated image of
Conventionally, various proposals have been made and practical applications have been made.

For example, an electronic camera disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 9-322039 performs a predetermined panoramic image synthesizing process on a plurality of image data recorded on a recording medium by performing a series of photographing operations in advance. At the same time, the panoramic image data generated thereby can be sequentially printed out to the image printing apparatus.

An electronic camera disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 9-289624 performs a panoramic image synthesizing process on the basis of a plurality of image data obtained by performing a series of photographing and recording, thereby obtaining a single large image. An image can be generated.

[0010]

However, a general image printing apparatus can print an image based on panoramic image data generated by using a conventional electronic camera, such as the means proposed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 9-322039. In the case where a printout is created by using the method, there are the following problems.

That is, the aspect ratio of an image represented by ordinary panoramic image data is narrower than the aspect ratio of a general printing medium. For this reason, a panoramic image printed on a single general printing medium by the image printing apparatus normally uses only a part of the printing medium as illustrated in FIG. .

FIG. 5 shows the printing of a panoramic image when an image based on panoramic image data generated by a conventional general electronic camera is printed out on a single printing medium 38a having a general aspect ratio. The output is shown.

In FIG. 5, reference numeral A denotes a printable area on the printing medium of the image printing apparatus, and reference numeral M
Indicates a print margin that is outside the printable area A and cannot be printed. Reference numeral B denotes a print image of the actually printed panoramic image, and reference numeral C denotes a blank area in the printable area A where no image is printed. The symbol L indicates the connection portion of each image by a dotted line, but this dotted line is not actually printed.

As described above, the elongated print image based on the panoramic image data has a smaller image area than the normal image printed on the entire printable area A of the print medium having the normal aspect ratio, and This results in a reduced print image.

Further, since a panoramic image is an elongated image, if a printout is performed using a printing medium having a normal aspect ratio, wasteful margins are increased, so that there is a problem that it is not efficient. is there.

On the other hand, a plurality of images photographed and recorded in the panoramic mode are printed one by one over the entire printable area of the print medium, and the plurality of printouts thus created are manually processed. By joining together,
Means for producing one large printed output is also commonly used. However, with such a means, it is extremely difficult to accurately connect a plurality of images because the overlapping area of each printed output is not clear.

The means disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 9-289624 is for performing OCR processing using a large image generated by image synthesis processing. The creation of printouts is not considered at all.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and has as its object to provide a panorama image creation method based on a plurality of image data shot and recorded in a panorama mode. When a printout of a panoramic image is created by printing and outputting a plurality of printouts and then manually joining the printouts, the printout of the panoramic image can be more easily made by clarifying the overlapping area of the images. An object of the present invention is to provide an electronic camera provided with an image printing device capable of creating a (hard copy).

[0019]

In order to achieve the above object, an electronic camera according to a first aspect of the present invention photoelectrically converts an optical subject image formed by a taking lens system into an electric signal, and Imaging means for generating a predetermined form of image signal by performing the above signal processing, recording means for recording the image signal acquired by the imaging means on a recording medium as image data, and image signal acquired by the imaging means Printing means for printing out an image based on the image on a printing medium, wherein the imaging means overlaps a part of the photographing screen and joins the images represented by the plurality of photographed image data to form one image. A panorama mode for performing image synthesis processing so as to obtain an image represented by a plurality of image data obtained by shooting and recording in this panorama mode. Is printed on a printing medium one by one, the printing unit prints an image based on each image data on the printing medium and prints an index indicating an overlapping area of the image. It is characterized by having done.

The electronic camera according to the second aspect of the present invention photoelectrically converts an optical image of an object formed by the taking lens system into an electric signal, performs predetermined signal processing, and performs image signal processing in a predetermined form. , A recording unit that records an image signal acquired by the imaging unit on a recording medium as image data, and a print that prints an image based on the image signal acquired by the imaging unit on a printing medium. A panoramic mode for performing an image synthesis process so that an image represented by a plurality of image data obtained by shooting and recording by overlapping a part of a shooting screen is combined into a single image. Each of the images represented by the plurality of image data obtained by shooting and recording in the panorama mode is printed on a print medium one by one. When printing, said printing means,
An image area other than an overlapping area in an image based on each image data is printed on a printing medium.

[0021]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The present invention will be described below with reference to the illustrated embodiments. First, a description will be given below mainly of an electrical configuration of components of the electronic camera according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1 is a main block diagram showing the internal configuration of the electronic camera. FIG. 1 mainly shows only parts related to the present invention, and illustration of other components is omitted.

As shown in FIG. 1, the electronic camera 1 includes a plurality of lenses and the like, and a photographic lens system 11 for forming an optical object image, and an optical object formed by the photographic lens system 11. An imaging system that converts an image into an electric signal and generates an image signal in a predetermined form; and a recording unit that records an image signal generated by the imaging system as image data in a predetermined form on a recording medium. A camera unit 2 including various electric circuits and members constituting a certain recording system and the like, and an image based on image data acquired by the camera unit 2 is converted into a desired image on a predetermined printing medium (not shown). Printer unit 3 which is an image printing apparatus including various electric circuits and members constituting a printing unit or the like for printing out the image
And a power supply system such as a power supply unit 26 that is a power supply control unit that controls power supply such as supplying electric power to various electric circuits and the like constituting the electronic camera 1. The electronic camera 1 is entirely composed of a system controller (abbreviated as syscon in FIG. 1) 2
5 is controlled.

As a printing medium used in the printer unit 3 of the electronic camera 1, for example, a conventional instant camera film is used (details will be described later).

The photographing lens system 11 includes a plurality of photographing lenses for condensing a subject light beam and forming an optical subject image, and a predetermined lens among the plurality of photographing lenses is moved in the optical axis direction to change the magnification. It is constituted by a lens driving unit (not shown) including a driving motor, a driving mechanism, a driving control circuit, and the like for performing an operation and a focusing operation.

An image pickup system and a recording system constituting the camera section 2 include an image pickup device 12 such as a CCD for photoelectrically converting a subject image formed by a photographing lens system 11 into an image signal, and the image pickup device 12 acquires the image pickup device. An imaging circuit 13 that performs predetermined signal processing on an image signal, and an A / D conversion circuit 14 that converts an output signal (analog signal) from the imaging circuit 13 into a digital signal (in FIG. Abbreviation)
A built-in memory 17 which is a buffer memory such as a non-volatile memory for temporarily storing an image signal digitized by the A / D conversion circuit 14, and a digital image signal stored in the built-in memory 17 A detachable memory 16 which is a recording medium for recording as an image data file and is composed of a non-volatile memory or the like. When the detachable memory 16 is loaded into the electronic camera 1, an electrical connection between the two is ensured to perform data control. A card interface (I / F) 15 including an electric circuit such as a controller,
An LCD 21 including a liquid crystal display or the like, which is a display device for displaying a display image signal generated by the image processing means 18 and various image information accompanying the display; a display circuit 20 for driving and controlling the LCD 21; An external input / output terminal 27 to which a cable (not shown) for electrically connecting the electronic camera 1 to an external information device or the like (not shown) is detachably provided; And an electronic circuit for ensuring an electrical connection between the electronic camera 1 and the electronic camera 1. The image signal for display generated by the image processing means 18 and various image information and the like accompanying the image signal are stored in the detachable memory 16. Data control is performed so as to output the recorded image data or the like to an external information device or to receive an input signal from an external information device or the like connected to the external input / output terminal 27. Part interface (I / F) section 2
2 and generating an image signal in a form optimal for converting a digital image signal stored in the built-in memory 17 into a signal in a form optimal for displaying as an image or reproducing and displaying image data from the detachable memory 16 An image processing means 18 for executing various image processing such as performing image processing, and an image for recording in a form most suitable for performing compression processing on the digital image signal stored in the built-in memory 17 and recording the digital image signal in the removable memory 16. Data compression means for generating data or reading image data for recording recorded in the removable memory 16 and performing signal processing such as performing expansion processing on the image data to generate a signal of a predetermined form. The compression / expansion circuit 19 which is also a means
And so on.

The camera section 2 of the electronic camera 1 includes:
A strobe device 23 for irradiating auxiliary illumination light to a desired subject at the time of photographing, a plurality of switches for generating various command signals and the like for executing various operations in the electronic camera 1, etc. Operating section 24 is disposed.

The operation unit 24 switches and sets various operation modes such as a switch for generating a command signal for starting a photographing preparation operation and an exposure operation, and a photographing mode such as a normal photographing mode and a panoramic mode. Formed by a switch or the like that generates a command signal for
These switches and the like are linked to operation members provided on the exterior part of the electronic camera 1 for performing various operations, such as a release button and a mode switching dial (not shown).

On the other hand, the power supply system is a power supply means for supplying necessary electric power to the internal electric circuit and the like of the electronic camera 1 and includes, for example, AA alkaline batteries, nickel cadmium batteries, nickel hydride batteries. Battery 26a such as a lithium battery, and power from the power battery 26a and other power supply means such as an external power supply (not shown). A power supply unit 26 for controlling supply of necessary power to circuits and the like; and an electronic camera 1 for receiving power supplied from an external power supply or the like (not shown) to the power supply unit 26. An external power supply input terminal 28 and the like are provided so that a cable (not shown) and the like for electrically connecting the power supply and the external power supply can be detachably provided.

The photographing lens system 11, the camera unit 2,
All of these various electric circuits and components constituting the power supply system and the like are controlled by the system controller 25 as described above.

As described above, the configuration of the camera unit 2 in the present embodiment is basically similar to that of a conventional general electronic camera or the like.

On the other hand, inside the electronic camera 1, various electric circuits and components constituting the printer section 3 which is a printing means and an image printing apparatus are disposed as described above. The printer section 3 is optimal for printing a corresponding image by receiving an image signal temporarily recorded in the built-in memory 17 or an image signal based on image data recorded in the removable memory 16. A print image generation circuit 31 for generating print image data of the form, and receiving a print image data generated by the print image generation circuit 31, performs a predetermined exposure operation on a print medium (not shown). An optical head unit 35 that is an exposure unit that executes image printing
A head drive circuit 32 that drives and controls the optical head unit 35 in response to a command signal from the system controller 25;
Head position sensor 34 for detecting the position of optical head 35
And a cartridge holder 4 for holding a print cartridge 38 containing a plurality of printing media such as instant camera films in a predetermined position inside the electronic camera 1.
1, a cartridge detection sensor 37 for detecting that a print cartridge 38 is loaded in the cartridge holder 41, and a print medium in the print cartridge 38 loaded in the cartridge holder 41. And a drive control circuit 33 that drives and controls the drive unit 36 in response to a command signal from the system controller 25. . Various electric circuits and components constituting the printer unit 3 are also controlled by the system controller 25.

The cartridge holder 41 is formed so that a print cartridge 38 containing a plurality of printing media therein can be inserted and removed, and when the print cartridge 38 is closed with the print cartridge 38 loaded therein. The print cartridge 38 is positioned at a predetermined position inside the electronic camera 1 and serves to hold the position. That is, the cartridge holder 41 functions as a holding unit that holds the print cartridge 38 in a cartridge storage chamber (not shown) in which the holder 41 is stored.

As the print cartridge 38, for example, Captiva 95 Film (JOYCAM 95 Film) manufactured by Polaroid
lm) or the like can be used. Here, the configuration of the printer unit 3 which is the image printing apparatus of the present embodiment will be described in more detail.

The printer unit 3 of the electronic camera 1 includes:
Basically, it has the same configuration as a conventional so-called LED printer or the like that performs printing by the light emitting action of a light emitting diode (LED).

That is, the optical head section 35 is formed in a form in which a plurality of light emitting members such as light emitting diodes are arranged in a line. An RGB filter or the like is provided on the light-emitting surface side of the light-emitting member, so that light of each color element is emitted. On the light emitting surface side of each light emitting member, there is provided a micro lens or the like for condensing irradiation light emitted from each light emitting member and forming an image at a predetermined position on the exposure surface of the printing medium.

The optical head 35 is controlled in a predetermined manner by a head drive circuit 32 controlled by a command from the system controller 25. At this time, the head drive circuit 32 controls the light emission of the optical head unit 35 based on the image data generated by the print image generation circuit 31. And this optical head part 3
By the light emitting action of 5, the exposed surface of the printing medium is subjected to a predetermined exposure.

The printing medium is the system controller 25
Is conveyed in a predetermined direction by a drive unit via a drive control circuit 33 controlled by the command.
The transport speed of the printing medium is synchronized with the exposure operation by the light emission of the optical head unit 35.

That is, the configuration of the driving member 36 forming the moving means for transporting the printing medium includes the following various members. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the main part, showing only the vicinity of the printer unit 3 in the electronic camera 1.

As shown in FIG. 2, the drive unit 36 in the printer unit 3 of the electronic camera 1 includes, for example, a drive step motor (not shown) or a print medium 38 in conjunction with the drive.
a first capstan shaft 36a serving to transport
The printing medium 38a by the first capstan shaft 36a
And a second capstan shaft 36c that assists the conveyance of the print medium 38a, and is disposed at a position facing the first capstan shaft 36a via the printing medium 38a, and presses the printing medium 38a toward the first capstan shaft 36a. Then, by pressing the printing medium 38a, a pressure roller 36b which contributes to a predetermined exposure action (chemical printing action) and contributes to a transport action of the printing medium 38a, and a second printing medium 38a through the printing medium 38a. The printing medium 38a is disposed at a position facing the second capstan shaft 36c, presses the printing medium 38a toward the second capstan shaft 36c, and press-bonds the printing medium 38a.
The conveying rollers 36d contributing to the auxiliary conveying operation (mainly the discharging operation) of the driving roller 8a and the rotational driving force of a driving step motor for driving these conveying rollers 36d.
and a drive control circuit (not shown) for controlling the driving of the drive step motor and the like.

In this case, the driving section 36 conveys the printing medium 38a at a predetermined speed by the following operation. First, the system controller 25 drives and controls a driving step motor (not shown) constituting a part of the driving unit 36 via the driving control circuit 33 to execute a predetermined rotation operation. The rotational driving force of the driving step motor is transmitted to the first capstan shaft 36a via a driving force transmission mechanism (not shown) constituted by gears and the like.

A pressure roller 36b is pressed against the first capstan shaft 36a by a predetermined pressure via a printing medium 38a. Therefore, when the first capstan shaft 36a rotates in a predetermined direction and at a predetermined speed, the pressure roller 36b follows the rotation. As a result, the printing medium 38a is transported in a predetermined direction and speed.

When the printing medium 38a reaches a position where the printing medium 38a is sandwiched between the second capstan shaft 36c and the transport roller 36d, the rotational driving force is transmitted to the second capstan shaft 36c in the same manner, and the printing medium 38a Will be discharged to the outside. The discharge direction of the printing medium 38a at this time is the direction indicated by the arrow X in FIG. This mechanism is similar to, for example, a means for transporting a tape medium in a general cassette tape recorder or the like.

As described above, the conventional instant camera film is used as the printing medium 38a used in the printer unit 3 of the electronic camera 1 according to the present embodiment.

The developing action of the instant camera film as the printing medium 38a is performed as follows. First, the printing medium 38a, which has been exposed to a predetermined area by the optical head unit 35 as described above, is attached to the first capstan shaft 36a and the pressing roller 3a.
6b while being conveyed at a predetermined speed. At this time, a packet portion (not shown) filled with a developing chemical provided at the leading end of the printing medium 38a.
Are ruptured by the pressing force between the first capstan shaft 36a and the pressing roller 36b.

At the same time, the first capstan shaft 36a
The pressure roller 36b acts to squeeze the same chemical from the inside of the packet portion to the outside. The chemicals squeezed out of the packet portion are substantially uniformly distributed on the exposed surface of the printing medium 38a by the first capstan shaft 36a and the pressure roller 36b as the printing medium 38a is transported. Will be applied.

In this way, the printing medium 38a is conveyed at a predetermined speed while applying the developing agent to the exposed portion of the optical head 35. And
The tip of the printing medium 38a is the second capstan shaft 36c.
And when it reaches the position nipped by the transport roller 36d,
The system controller 25 controls the driving of the driving step motor via a predetermined driving force transmission mechanism (not shown) to transmit the rotation driving force to the second capstan shaft 36c. As a result, the printing medium 38a is sent out of the electronic camera 1 while being held between the second capstan shaft 36c and the transport roller 36d.

At a predetermined position on the rear end side of the printing medium 38a, a second packet portion (not shown) is provided, and the second packet portion receives excess chemicals. It is supposed to.

In the above-described configuration of the printing medium 38a, the configuration of each unit such as the packet unit containing the chemicals and the second packet unit for receiving the excess chemicals is the same as that of the conventional instant media. This is a general component of a camera film. Therefore, the printing medium 38a
Detailed illustration of the configuration itself is omitted.

Since the second capstan shaft 36c assists the conveyance of the printing medium 38a, the pressing force of the conveying roller 36d pressed against the printing medium 38a is reduced by the pressing roller 36b against the first capstan shaft 36a. Is set to be lighter than the crimping force.

Further, the transport speed of the printing medium 38a is:
The rotation speed is determined by the rotation speed of the first capstan shaft 36a and the pressure roller 36b pressed against the rotation speed. Then, the rotation speed of the first capstan shaft 36a is synchronized with the exposure operation by the light emission of the optical head unit 35, and the printing medium 3
Control is performed so that 8a is conveyed.

The operation of the thus configured electronic camera 1 of the present embodiment will be described below. As a shooting mode of the electronic camera 1, a normal shooting mode for performing normal shooting, a panorama mode for performing panorama shooting, and the like are prepared. In the following description, the shooting operation is performed with the panorama mode set. Thereafter, only a case where a printout operation is executed based on the acquired image signal to create a printout of a panoramic image will be described in detail.

First, the power supply of the electronic camera 1 is turned on, and the electronic camera 1 is set in a photographing ready state in which a photographing operation can be executed.
In this state, the photographing mode is set to the panorama mode by operating a predetermined operation member such as a mode switching dial. Then, the LCD 21 of the electronic camera 1 is automatically turned on, and the LCD 21 continuously displays images acquired by the imaging means. Thus, the LCD 21 can be used as a finder.

When the photographing mode of the electronic camera 1 is set to the panorama mode, a part of a display image displayed on the LCD 21, for example, an index such as a frame indicating a predetermined range area at both right and left ends of the screen frame. Is displayed on the display image in duplicate. The predetermined range indicates a range that should be overlapped when performing panoramic image shooting.

In this state, a plurality of image signals are obtained by performing a panoramic photographing operation. The panoramic photographing operation performed here is a series of images to be taken as a panoramic image, and the photographing is performed by using an index displayed on the LCD 21 in consideration of an overlapping portion where images should be joined after photographing. Is what you do.

A series of a plurality of image signals thus obtained are temporarily recorded in the built-in memory 17 and stored therein. At the same time, each image signal is converted into image data through a predetermined procedure every time each shooting operation is performed, and is sequentially recorded on a recording medium (removable memory 16). The image data recorded at this time includes information indicating that the image signal is an image signal captured in the panorama mode, information regarding an overlapping area (so-called [paste information]), and the like.
Such information and the like are also recorded.

On the other hand, a plurality of image signals temporarily recorded in the built-in memory 17 are sequentially transmitted to the system controller 2.
5 to the print image generation circuit 31 of the printer unit 3. In response to this, the print image generation circuit 31 executes a predetermined signal processing to generate an image signal for printing optimal for printing an image. This print image signal is, for example, a set of image signals converted for each line.

If the image signal has been shot and recorded in the panoramic mode, the image signal is accompanied by information [overlapping information] relating to the overlapped area. Index data specifying an overlap area is attached to a predetermined position of the image to be printed in accordance with the image signal for printing. By attaching this index data, an index such as a dotted line clearly indicating the boundary of the overlapping area of the image can be printed together with the image on each printing medium to be printed for creating a panoramic image (see FIG. 3).

The print image signal generated by the print image generation circuit 31 is transmitted to the optical head unit 35 via the head drive circuit 32 for each line of data. At this time, the head driving circuit 32
The optical head 35 is controlled by the command of No. 5. Thereby, the optical head unit 35 performs a predetermined light emitting operation,
The printing medium 38a is exposed.

At the same time, the system controller 25
Controls the drive unit 36 via the drive control circuit 33, and synchronizes with the light emission operation of the optical head unit 35 so that the printing medium 38a
Is carried out.

As described above, the printing medium 38a includes
While the image based on the printing image signal generated by the printing image generation circuit 31 and transmitted from the printing image generation circuit 31 is exposed, the printing medium 38a is conveyed at a predetermined speed in a predetermined direction at a predetermined speed by the above-described operation. By performing the development processing, a printout of an image is created. The printing medium 38a on which the image is printed is the electronic camera 1
And the print output operation is completed.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a plurality of printouts for creating a panorama image created as described above, and an example of a printout of a panorama image created thereby. The printout of a panoramic image shown here is formed by laminating three images.

That is, based on three image signals obtained by setting the electronic camera 1 in the panoramic mode and performing photographing and recording according to the above-described procedure, each image is printed on the printing medium 38a. It is assumed that printout is performed and three printouts for creating a panoramic image are created.

It should be noted that reference numerals B1, B2,.
B3 is a printing medium 38a for creating three panoramic images.
Indicates a print image area, and reference numeral B4 indicates a panorama image actually created. Also, the code M
Indicates a print margin as in FIG. And
Symbols D1, D2, D3, and D4 indicate the ranges of the overlapping areas. It should be noted that a dotted line L as an index indicating the boundary of the overlapping area in FIG. 3 is actually printed in the range of the overlapping area. FIG.
In the figure, the range of the overlapping area (D1 to D4) is indicated by diagonal lines for easy identification, but the diagonal lines are shown for convenience and are not actually printed.

In creating a panoramic image, one of the overlapping areas is cut off using the dotted line L as a guide, and then the images are pasted together. This bonding is by hand.
In this way, a printout (hard copy) of a panoramic image as indicated by reference numeral B4 is created. At this time, when actually bonding a plurality of printouts, it is desirable to hide the dotted line L in the overlapping area of the images.

As described above, according to the one embodiment, the electronic camera 1 is set to the panorama mode, and separately set to the print medium 38a based on the image signals recorded and recorded. After a plurality of printouts for creating a panoramic image are created by printing out, a printout (hard copy) of the panorama image is created by pasting these together.

In this case, an index (dotted line L shown in FIG. 3) indicating an overlapping area of the images based on the [gap information] is provided on each printout so as to facilitate the bonding of the images. Since the printout is superimposed on the image, the printout of the panoramic image can be created more easily, and the image is synthesized on a single print medium like the printout of the conventional panoramic image. A printout of a larger panoramic image can be easily created as compared to a printout of an image based on the processed image data.

Since the electronic camera 1 is integrally provided with an image printing apparatus having the above-described functions, a hard copy of a desired image can be made on the spot when the photographing operation is performed. It can be said that it is extremely convenient because it can be created.

In the example shown in the above-described embodiment, when a printout for creating a panoramic image is created, the overlapped area of the image is included for each printout on the basis of the [overlap information]. The printed image is printed out. Alternatively, the following may be performed when printing out.

That is, when generating an image signal for printing,
The print image generation circuit 31 generates a print image signal including an image signal of a portion excluding a region where an image overlaps, based on [payback information] among image information attached to the transmitted image signal.

FIG. 4 shows a printout for creating a panoramic image created by the image signal for printing created in this way. In FIG. 4, a reference symbol L indicated by a dotted line indicates a reference line serving as an index during a bonding operation for creating a panoramic image, but is not actually printed.

That is, in this case, as described above, only the image area other than the overlapping area of the images is printed out, so that the bonding reference for creating the panoramic image is actually printed. It is a line along the edge of the image. Therefore, it is possible to clarify the boundary portion of the area where the images overlap, without printing the index such as the dotted line L indicating the boundary portion as in the above-described embodiment.

In this manner, a printout of a panoramic image can be easily created and a larger panoramic image can be created, as in the above-described embodiment.

Note that photographing in the panoramic mode is performed using the electronic camera 1 of the above-described embodiment,
Image data recorded including image information such as [paste information] can be transferred to an external information device such as a personal computer, for example, to perform a panoramic image synthesizing process as conventionally performed. This makes it easy to generate panoramic image data.

In this case, it is possible to automatically execute a predetermined image synthesizing process or the like for generating a panoramic image by referring to the [overlapping information] or the like, and therefore, more easily. In addition, images can be accurately joined.

[0075]

As described above, according to the present invention, after printing out a plurality of printouts for creating a panoramic image created based on a plurality of image data shot and recorded in the panoramic mode, When a printout of a panoramic image is created by manually joining together, a printout of a panoramic image (hard copy) is more easily performed by printing and outputting an index clearly indicating an overlapping area of the image together with the image. An electronic camera provided with an image printing device capable of creating a digital camera can be provided.

[Brief description of the drawings]

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

FIG. 2 is an essential part cross-sectional view showing only the vicinity of a printer unit in the electronic camera of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a view showing a printout for creating a panorama image created by a printer unit in the electronic camera of FIG. 1 and a printout of a panorama image created by the printer.

FIG. 4 is a view showing another example of a printout for creating a panoramic image created by a printer unit in the electronic camera of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a view showing a printout of a panoramic image when printed and output on one printing medium based on a panoramic image generated by a conventional general electronic camera.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Electronic camera 2 ... Camera part 3 ... Printer part (printing means) 11 ... Shooting lens system 12 ... Imaging element (imaging means) 15 ... Card interface (I / F) part (recording means) 16 ... Removable memory (recording medium) 17. Internal memory (buffer memory; recording means) 19... Compression / expansion circuit (recording means) 25... System controller (control means) 26. Power battery (power supply means) 35 Optical head unit (exposure means; printing means) 36 Drive unit (moving means; printing means) 38 print cartridge 38a printing medium

Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification symbol FI Theme coat II (reference) H04N 5/76 B41J 29/00

Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. An imaging means for photoelectrically converting an optical object image formed by an imaging lens system into an electric signal, performing predetermined signal processing to generate a predetermined form of image signal, and Recording means for recording an image signal acquired by the means on a recording medium as image data; and printing means for printing out an image based on the image signal acquired by the imaging means on a printing medium. Has a panorama mode in which images represented by a plurality of image data obtained by shooting and recording by overlapping a part of a shooting screen are combined so as to form a single image. When printing each of the images represented by a plurality of image data obtained by shooting and recording by printing on a printing medium one by one, the printing unit includes: With printing an image based on the image data to the print medium, the electronic camera is characterized in that so as to print an index indicating the overlapping area of the image. 2. An image pickup means for photoelectrically converting an optical object image formed by a photographing lens system into an electric signal and performing predetermined signal processing to generate an image signal of a predetermined form, and Recording means for recording an image signal acquired by the means on a recording medium as image data; and printing means for printing out an image based on the image signal acquired by the imaging means on a printing medium. Has a panorama mode in which images represented by a plurality of image data obtained by shooting and recording by overlapping a part of a shooting screen are combined so as to form a single image. When printing each of the images represented by a plurality of image data obtained by shooting and recording by printing on a printing medium one by one, the printing unit includes: Electronic camera is characterized in that so as to print an image area other than the overlapping region of the image based on the image data to the print medium.