JP2002027391A - Imaging device and information processor and image output system and their control method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a print system in which the image pickup location is added, as character information, to an image obtained by electronic image pickup. SOLUTION: In a print system comprising a digital camera producing image data by electronic image pickup, and a printer, the digital camera acquires positional information using GPS at the time of image pickup and stores the positional information, personal information of a cameraman and the image data as one file in a removable memory connectable with the printer. The printer reads out the positional information and the image data from the memory, converts the positional information into character string information indicating the image pickup location, composites the converted character information at a specified position of an image represented by that image data to generate composite image data, and then prints an image using the composite image data.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an apparatus for obtaining electronic image data by photographing and a printing system capable of displaying information such as a photographing place on a photographed image.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A conventional apparatus for obtaining electronic image data by photographing, for example, a digital camera (hereinafter referred to as a digital camera)
In order to add the photographing location information as character information to a photographed image and to print the photographed image, the following method has been adopted.

[0003] A user of a digital camera keeps information of a shooting location for each image by recording or the like in some way at the time of shooting, transfers image data shot by the digital camera to a computer or the like, and performs photo retouching on the computer or the like. -Using software, character information indicating the shooting location is combined with image data, and the combined image is printed.

FIGS. 1- (1), (2) and (3) are diagrams showing an example of such a printing method. Figure 1
(1) is an example of an image taken by a conventional digital camera,
FIG. 1- (2) is a character string representing the shooting location of the image of FIG. 1- (1). FIG. 1- (3) shows the image of FIG. 1- (1) and FIG.
FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an image obtained by synthesizing the character string information of (2), transferring the image data of FIG. 1- (1) to a computer or the like, and operating the photo retouching software on the computer or the like to connect the two. It was common to synthesize.

[0005] When printing an image indicating the shooting location, the image data after the synthesizing process is stored in a storage medium such as a floppy (registered trademark) disk, and printed by a printing company along with the storage medium. It has been through a procedure of requesting or connecting a printing device to a computer or the like to print the image data after the synthesizing process.

On the other hand, in recent years, when image data is stored in a predetermined storage medium by a digital camera or the like, various information related to the image data is stored in the storage medium storing the image data separately from the image data. A technique for storing data in association with data has been proposed. Hereinafter, this technology is called DPF technology, and data stored separately from image data is called DPF data.

[0007] By the DPF technology, for example, the address, name, telephone number, e-mail address, and other personal information of the print requester, the number of prints of each image, and the type of paper (silk or glossy) used for printing are recorded in the DPF. The data can be stored together with the image data, and the storage medium can be brought to a printer to request printing. As a result, a procedure other than the delivery of the storage medium to the printing company is not required, and the convenience can be remarkably improved as compared with the case where a silver halide photograph is requested to be printed.

On the other hand, in recent years, GPS (Global Positioning)
System) has made it easier to obtain location information on the earth. The GPS is a system that identifies its own position by communicating with a GPS satellite operated by the United States Department of Defense, and by using this system, it is possible to acquire information on the latitude and longitude of a measurement position.

[0009]

However, since a conventional digital camera does not have a function of adding information about a photographing location to a photographed image and printing the photographed image, the photographer must add the photographing location to the print image. Has to be stored in some way, such as a memo, and a complicated operation of combining information representing the shooting location with the image must be performed later.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and an object of the present invention is to make it possible to automatically add information on a photographing place to an image obtained by photographing an electronic image. .

[0011]

According to the present invention, there is provided an imaging apparatus having the following configuration. That is, the first acquisition unit acquires the image information by the imaging unit, the second acquisition unit acquires the position of the device by the GPS when the image information is acquired by the imaging unit, and the first acquisition unit acquires the position of the device by the GPS. A storage unit that stores the image information in the storage medium, and stores the position information acquired by the second acquisition unit in the storage medium in association with the image information.

An information processing apparatus according to the present invention for achieving the above object has the following configuration. That is,
An acquisition unit for acquiring image information to be output and position information associated therewith from a memory, and data to be combined with an image generated by the image information based on the position information acquired by the acquisition unit. First generating means for generating, second generating means for generating output data by combining data generated by the first generating means with an image based on the image information, and output means for outputting the output data. Prepare.

Further, an image output system according to the present invention for achieving the above object has the following configuration. That is, the first acquisition unit acquires the image information by the imaging unit, the second acquisition unit acquires the position of the device by the GPS when the image information is acquired by the imaging unit, and the first acquisition unit acquires the position of the device by the GPS. An image capturing apparatus that stores image information in a storage medium and storage means for storing the position information acquired by the second acquisition means in the storage medium in association with the image information; Third acquisition means for acquiring image information and position information associated therewith, and data to be combined with an image generated by the image information based on the position information acquired by the third acquisition means. A first generation unit, a second generation unit that synthesizes data generated by the first generation unit with an image based on the image information to generate output data, and the output data And a processing unit and an output unit for outputting.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for controlling an imaging apparatus, comprising: a first obtaining step of obtaining image information by an imaging step; A second acquisition step of acquiring the position of the object by GPS, and storing the image information acquired in the first acquisition step in a storage medium, and associating the position information acquired in the second acquisition step with the image information. A storage step of storing the information in a storage medium.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for controlling an information processing apparatus, comprising the steps of: obtaining, from a memory, image information to be output and positional information associated therewith; A first generation step of generating data to be combined with an image generated by the image information based on the position information obtained in the step; and generating the data generated in the first generation step into an image based on the image information. A second generation step of generating output data by combining; and an output step of outputting the output data.

Further, in the control method of the image output system according to the present invention for achieving the above object, in an image pickup apparatus, a first obtaining step of obtaining image information by an image pickup means; A second acquisition step of acquiring the position of the device at the time of imaging by GPS, and storing the image information acquired in the first acquisition step in a storage medium, and storing the position information acquired in the second acquisition step in the image. A storage step of storing the image information in the storage medium in association with the information, wherein the information processing apparatus obtains the image information stored in the storage medium and the position information associated therewith; (3) a first generating step of generating data to be combined with an image generated by the image information based on the position information obtained in the obtaining step; Comprising Ku and second generating step of the data generated by the first generating step synthesis to produce an output data to the image, and an output step of outputting the output data.

[0017]

Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[First Embodiment] Hereinafter, a first embodiment of the present invention will be described.
The printing system according to the embodiment will be described. FIG.
FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a printing system according to the present embodiment. In the first embodiment, the transfer of image data between the digital camera and the printer is performed by a removable storage medium (an image / DPF memory 205 described later).

In FIG. 2, reference numeral 201 denotes a digital camera;
The camera includes a camera bus 206 and a camera control unit 202, a GPS reception unit 203, an imaging unit 204, and an image / DPF data memory 205 connected thereto.

Reference numeral 202 denotes a camera control unit for controlling the operation of the digital camera 201. The camera control unit 202 can detect all operations by the user of the digital camera 201, such as an operation of pressing a shutter and an operation of zooming.

Reference numeral 203 denotes a GPS receiving unit, which receives position information consisting of latitude and longitude from a GPS satellite (not shown) under the control of the camera control unit 202.

Reference numeral 204 denotes an image pickup unit, and the camera control unit 20
Image capturing is performed in accordance with the control by 2 and digital information is obtained from the captured image. Note that the imaging unit 204 has a memory for storing the digital information therein.

An image / DPF data memory 205 stores image data and DPF data created in association with the image under the control of the camera control unit 202.

Reference numeral 210 denotes a printer, and the bus 21
5 and the printer control unit 21 connected thereby
1, print engine 212, place name dictionary memory 213,
It comprises a frame memory 214 and an image / DPF data memory 205.

A printer control unit 211 controls the operation of the printer 210.

Reference numeral 212 denotes a print engine, which reads an image generated in a frame memory 214 described later and creates a permanent visible image on a sheet under the control of the printer control unit 211.

Reference numeral 213 denotes a place name dictionary memory. When position information is input under the control of the printer control unit 211, the place name is returned as a character string from the position information. The place name dictionary memory 213 can be specifically configured by a large-capacity storage device such as a CDROM. It is assumed that the map is divided into an appropriate mesh in the place name dictionary memory, and the names of prefectures and municipalities are defined for the mesh.

A frame memory 214 stores image data to be printed under the control of the printer control unit 211 and is read out by the print engine 212.

The image / DPF data memory 205 in the printer 210 is the same as that in the digital camera 201. That is, the image / DPF data memory 205 according to the present embodiment is connected to the digital camera 201 at the time of photographing, and stores information such as image information and DPF data.
The data and the like are read out under the control of the printer control unit 211.

In the following, a photograph is taken using the digital camera 201, and information on the photographing position is stored in the image / DPF data memory 2.
The processing up to the storage in the storage unit 05 will be described.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the flow of processing from imaging to storage of information on the imaging position in the image / DPF data memory 205.

When the user operates the shutter (not shown) of the digital camera 201 to take a picture (step S30)
1) Under the control of the camera control unit 202, the image captured by the image capturing unit 204 is loaded as digital information into an internal memory (not shown) (step S302).

Subsequently, the camera control section 202 controls the image pickup section 20
4 is compressed for redundancy (step S303) and stored in the image / DPF data memory 205 as image data (step S304).

Subsequently, under the control of the camera control unit 202, the GPS receiving unit 203 receives position information including latitude and longitude from a GPS satellite (not shown) (step S3).
05), and stored as DPF data in the image / DPF data memory 205 (step S306).

Next, the image data obtained at the time of photographing and the DP
The logical structure of F data when it is stored in the image / DPF data memory 205 will be described.

FIG. 4A shows the image / DPF data memory 20.
FIG. 5 is a diagram schematically illustrating a logical structure in a state where two pieces of image data are stored in 5;

In FIG. 4A, 205 is the same as the image / DPF data memory 205 described with reference to FIG. Two image data are stored in the image / DPF data memory 205. Image data 401 and 402 are referred to as an image 1 file 401 and an image 2 file 402, respectively. In the present embodiment, images and
Each data stored in the DPF data memory 205 is assumed to be managed by a logical structure called a file. Hereinafter, the description will be made in accordance with this, but the application of the present invention is not limited to this. That is, it is not essential to manage the inside of the image / DPF data memory with a logical structure called a file, and it may be managed in another form.

Reference numeral 403 denotes a DPF storing DPF data
It is a data file. The logical structure of the DPF data file will be described with reference to FIG. 4B. As in FIG. 4A, reference numeral 403 in FIG. 4B denotes a DPF data file.

Reference numeral 410 denotes a common data area, in which image files stored in the image / DPF data memory 205 and information relating to all are structured and stored. Here, as information relating to all the image files,
For example, the image / DPF data memory 205 is stored in the digital camera 2
01, and personal information of the requester when requesting printing from a printing company.

Reference numeral 411 denotes an image file related data area. The image file related data area 411 contains the image / D
This is an area for storing information related to each image file stored in the PF data memory 205 in association with the image file. Here, the information relating to each image file is information relating to the date and time and position at which the image file was obtained by imaging.

Reference numeral 412 denotes data related to the image 1 file.
The latitude and longitude of the location where the file was obtained.

Similarly, reference numeral 413 denotes data relating to the image 2 file, and in this embodiment, for example, the latitude and longitude of the position where the image 2 file is obtained by imaging.

Since the logical structure in the image / DPF data memory 205 is as described above, the redundancy-compressed image data executed in step S304 in the flowchart of FIG. 3 is stored in the image / DPF data memory 205. The process of storing image data is a process of storing image data in a file such as the image 1 file 401 or the image 2 file 402 in FIG. 4A. The process of storing the position information as DPF data in the image / DPF data memory 205, which is performed in step s306 in the flowchart of FIG. 3, is performed in accordance with the data 412 related to the image 1 file or the image 2 file in FIG. 4B. This is a process of storing position information in the data 413 to be executed.

Next, the process in which the printer 210 prints the designated image in the image / DPF data memory 205 together with the photographing place name will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. In the present embodiment, the image to be printed is an image stored in the image 1 file 401 in FIG. 4A.

First, the designation of an image to be printed is awaited. When an image to be printed (image 1 stored in the image 1 file in this example) is designated (step S501), the printer control unit 211 transmits the image / DPF. The compressed image data is read from the image 1 file 401 in the data memory 205 (step S502).

Next, the printer controller 211 expands the compressed image data (step S503), and stores the expanded image in the frame memory 214 (step S504).

Subsequently, the printer control unit 211 outputs the image / D
DPF data file 40 in PF data memory 205
3 related to the image file (here, data 41 related to the image 1 file).
From 2), the latitude and longitude information of the shooting location is read (step S505).

Subsequently, the printer control unit 211 searches the place name dictionary memory 213 from the latitude and longitude information, and obtains the place name information of the position as a character string (step S50).
6).

Subsequently, the printer control unit 211 converts the character string of the place name into an image represented by the character string, and combines this image with the decompressed image stored in the frame memory 214 on the frame memory 214. Yes (Step S5
07). The combination referred to here is, for example, a process of overwriting and copying an image represented by a character string at an arbitrary position in the decompressed image on the frame memory 214.

Subsequently, the printer controller 211 controls the print engine 212 to perform a printing process (step S).
508). That is, the print engine 212 forms a permanent visible image on a sheet while reading out the combined image from the frame memory 214 under the control of the printer control unit 211.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, the user only needs to take a picture with the digital camera 201 and the image / DPF data memory stores the image data and the information of the position where the image data was collected. This image and DPF
By supplying the data memory to the printer 210,
It is possible to print an image in which the image data and the place name where the image data is collected are combined.

[Second Embodiment] In the above-described first embodiment, printing is performed by mounting a storage medium on which an image is recorded by a digital camera in a printer. A mode in which a storage medium from a digital camera is attached to an external device (host computer) to be connected will be described. Hereinafter, a printing system according to the second embodiment of the present invention will be described.

The digital camera constituting the printing system according to this embodiment has the same block configuration as the digital camera 201 of the printing system according to the first embodiment described with reference to FIG. This is exactly the same as the processing described using the flowchart of FIG. Therefore, the description here is omitted.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a portion excluding the digital camera from the printing system according to the present embodiment. The printing system includes a digital camera, a printer, and a computer as an external device. The printer 210 and the external device (computer 601) are connected to each other via a communication path. Hereinafter, the digital camera is the same as that described in the first embodiment.

In FIG. 6, the components of the printing system according to the first embodiment, which are described in FIG. 2 and have the same functions, are denoted by the same reference numerals. However, the functions and the like of all the components shown in FIG. 6 will be described again here.

A computer 601 in FIG. 6 includes a computer control unit 602, a computer frame memory 603, a memory interface 604, a computer interface 605, a computer bus 606, an image / DPF data memory 205, and a place name dictionary memory 2.
13. The computer controller 602, the computer frame memory 603, the memory interface 604, the computer interface 605, and the place name dictionary memory 213 are connected by a computer bus 606, and the image / DPF data memory 205 is connected to the memory interface 604.

Reference numeral 602 denotes a computer control unit which controls the computer and includes a ROM, a RAM, and an MPU.

The image / DPF data memory 205 in the computer 601 is the same as that in the printer 210 shown in FIG. That is, the image / DPF data memory 205 is mounted in the digital camera 201 at the time of shooting,
It is removed after the photographing process is completed and attached to the computer 601.

Reference numeral 604 denotes the image / DPF data memory 20
5 is a memory interface for connecting the PC 5 to a bus 606 in a computer.

The place name dictionary memory 2 in the computer 601
Reference numeral 13 denotes a device having the same function as that in the printer 210 shown in FIG. That is, when the position information is input under the control of the computer control unit 602,
Perform the process of returning the place name as a character string from the location information,
Specifically, it can be constituted by a mass storage device such as a CDROM.

Reference numeral 603 denotes a frame memory in the computer for storing an image to be printed under the control of the computer control unit 602.

Reference numeral 605 denotes a computer interface for connecting the computer 601 and the printer 210 via the communication path 607.

Next, the printer 210 connected to the computer 601 will be described.

A printer 210 in FIG.
15 and the printer control unit 21 connected thereby
1, a print engine 212, a frame memory 214, and a printer interface 608.

A printer control unit 211 controls the operation of the printer 210.

A print engine 212 reads an image generated in a frame memory 214 described later and creates a permanent visible image on a sheet under the control of the printer control unit 211.

A frame memory 214 stores image data to be printed under the control of the printer control unit 211 and is read out by the print engine 212.

Reference numeral 608 denotes an interface in the printer for connecting the printer 210 and the computer 601 via the communication path 607.

In the following, a description will be given of a process of printing the designated image in the image / DPF data memory 205 together with the photographing place name in the printer 210.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an image and
9 is a flowchart illustrating a flow of processing for printing a designated image in a DPF data memory 205 together with a shooting location name.
In the description of the second embodiment, it is assumed that an image to be printed is an image stored in the image 1 file in FIG. 4A.

When the image to be printed is designated as image 1 (step S701), the computer control unit 602 converts the compressed image data from the image file (here, image 1 file 401) in the image / DPF data memory 205. , Via the memory interface 604 (step S702).

Subsequently, the computer controller 602 expands the compressed image data (step S703), and stores the expanded image in the computer frame memory 603 (step S704).

Subsequently, the computer control unit 602 stores data relating to the image file stored in the DPF data file 403 in the image / DPF data memory 205 (here, data 4 relating to the image 1 file).
12), the latitude and longitude information of the shooting location is read (step S705).

Subsequently, the computer control unit 602 searches the place name dictionary memory 213 from the latitude and longitude information, and obtains the place name information of the position as a character string (step S70).
6).

Subsequently, the computer control unit 602 converts the character string of the place name obtained in step S706 into an image represented by the character string, and converts this image with the decompressed image stored in the frame memory 603 in the computer. Are combined on the frame memory 603 in the computer (step S707). The combination referred to here is, for example, a process of overwriting and copying the image represented by the character string to an arbitrary position of the decompressed image on the frame memory 603 in the computer.

Subsequently, the computer control unit 602 transmits the synthesized image stored in the frame memory 603 in the computer via the bus 606 in the computer, the interface 605 in the computer, the communication path 607, the interface 608 in the printer, and the bus 215. Then, the data is transferred to the frame memory 214 (step S708).

The processing performed in the computer 601 has been described above.

Subsequently, the printer controller 211 controls the print engine 212 to perform a printing process (step S).
709). That is, the print engine 212 forms a permanent visible image on paper while reading out the combined image from the frame memory 214 under the control of the printer control unit 211.

The above is the processing performed in the printer 210.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, the user simply takes a picture with the digital camera 201 and the image / DPF data memory stores the image data and the information of the position where the image data was collected. By supplying the image / DPF data memory to the computer 601, the image data and the place name from which the image data was collected are synthesized in the computer 601, and the synthesized image can be printed.

[Third Embodiment] A printing system according to a third embodiment of the present invention will be described below.

The digital camera constituting the printing system according to this embodiment has the same block configuration as the digital camera 201 of the printing system according to the first embodiment described with reference to FIG. This is exactly the same as the processing described using the flowchart of FIG. Therefore, the description here is omitted.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a portion excluding a digital camera from the printing system according to the present embodiment. The printing system includes a digital camera, a printer, and a computer that is an external device. The printer and the external device are connected to each other via a communication path. Hereinafter, the digital camera is the same as that described in the first embodiment.

In FIG. 8, the components of the printing system according to the second embodiment, which are described in FIG. 6 and have the same functions, are given the same numbers. However, the functions and the like of all the components shown in FIG. 8 will be described again here.

A computer 601 in FIG. 8 includes a computer bus 606 and a computer control unit 602, a place name dictionary memory 213, and a computer interface 605 connected thereto.

Reference numeral 602 denotes a computer control unit which controls the computer and includes a ROM, a RAM, and an MPU.

Reference numeral 213 denotes a place name dictionary memory that returns a place name as a character string from the position information when position information is input under the control of the computer control unit 602.

Reference numeral 605 denotes an interface in the computer for connecting the computer 601 and the printer 210 via the communication path 607.

Next, the printer 210 will be described.

A printer 201 includes a bus 215,
Image / DPF data memory 2 connected thereby
05, printer control unit 211, print engine 21
2. It comprises a frame memory 214 and an interface 608 in the printer.

A printer control unit 211 controls the operation of the printer 210.

A print engine 212 reads an image generated in a frame memory 214 described later and creates a permanent visible image on a sheet under the control of the printer control unit 211.

A frame memory 214 stores image data to be printed under the control of the printer control unit 211 and is read out by the print engine 212.

Reference numeral 608 denotes an interface in the printer for connecting the printer 210 and the computer 601 via the communication path 607.

The image / DPF data memory 205 in the printer 210 is the same as that in the computer 601 shown in FIG. That is, the image / DPF data memory 205 according to the present embodiment stores the digital camera 20 at the time of shooting.
1 and stores information such as image information and DPF data. The digital camera 201 is detached from the digital camera 201 during printing and connected to the printer 210, and these data and the like are read out under the control of the printer control unit 211.

In the following, a process of printing a designated image in the image / DPF data memory 205 together with a photographing place name in the printer 210 will be described.

FIG. 9 shows an image / image
9 is a flowchart illustrating a flow of processing for printing a designated image in a DPF data memory 205 together with a shooting location name.
In the description of the present embodiment, it is assumed that an image to be printed is an image stored in the image 1 file in FIG. 4A.

When the image to be printed is designated as image 1 (step S901), the printer control unit 211
The compressed image data is read from the image file (here, the image 1 file 401) in the DPF data memory 205 (step S902).

Subsequently, the printer controller 211 expands the compressed image data (step S903), and stores the expanded image in the frame memory 214 (step S90).
4).

Subsequently, the printer control unit 211 outputs the image / D
DPF data file 40 in PF data memory 205
3 and data related to the image file (in this embodiment, data 41 related to the image 1 file).
From 2), the latitude and longitude information of the shooting location is read (step S905).

Subsequently, the printer control unit 211 sends the latitude and longitude information of the shooting location to the bus 215 and the interface 608.
Then, the program is transmitted to the computer 601 via the communication path 607 (step S906). The above is the processing in the printer 210.

Subsequently, the computer 601 connects the communication path 60
7, the latitude and longitude information sent from the printer 210 is received (step S907). This information
The data is sent to the computer control unit 602 via the in-computer interface 605 and the in-computer bus 606.

Subsequently, the computer control unit 602 searches the place name dictionary memory 213 from the latitude and longitude information, and obtains the place name information of the position as a character string (step S90).
8).

Next, the computer control unit 602 transmits the character string of the place name to the printer 210 via the computer bus 606, the computer interface 605, and the communication path 607 (step S909). The above is the processing in the computer 601.

Subsequently, the printer 210 receives the character string of the place name sent from the computer 601 via the communication path 607 (step S910). This information is sent to the printer control unit 211 via the interface 608 and the bus 215.

Subsequently, the printer control unit 211 converts the character string of the place name into an image represented by the character string, and combines this image with the decompressed image stored in the frame memory 214 on the frame memory 214. (Step S9
11). The combination referred to here is, for example, a process of overwriting and copying an image represented by a character string to an arbitrary position of an expanded image on the frame memory 214.

Next, the printer control unit 211 controls the print engine 212 to perform a printing process (step S).
912). That is, the print engine 212 forms a permanent visible image on a sheet while reading out the combined image from the frame memory 214 under the control of the printer control unit 211.

The above is the processing performed in the printer 210.

In the description of the present embodiment,
Based on the position information of the latitude and longitude, the place name dictionary memory 213 provided in the computer 601 is searched to extract character string information representing the place name, and the image represented by the extracted character string information is combined with the photographed image. The example in which the processing is performed in the printer 210 has been described. Although a printing system that performs these operations in reverse is also conceivable, it is obvious that such a system can be easily configured from the above-described system.
Detailed description is omitted.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, the user only needs to take a picture with the digital camera 201, and the image / DPF data memory stores the image data and the information of the position where the image data was collected. By supplying the image / DPF data memory to the printer 210, the location information where the image data was collected is transferred from the printer 210 to the computer 601, and the character string information of the place where the image data was collected is transmitted from the computer 601 to the printer 210.
The image data and the place name from which the image data was collected are combined in the printer 210, and the combined image can be printed.

In each of the above embodiments, the image information (including the DPF information) obtained by the digital camera is stored in a removable storage medium and supplied to an external device or a printer. Absent. For example, it is obvious that the image information stored in the digital camera may be provided to a printer or an external device by communication (for example, RS232C or infrared communication).

In each of the above embodiments, a character string such as a place name is obtained from the longitude and latitude information included in the DPF information and synthesized into an image to be printed. It may be recorded.

The present invention can be applied to a system including a plurality of devices (for example, a host computer 1, an interface device, a reader, and a printer). Facsimile machine, etc.).

Further, an object of the present invention is to supply a storage medium (or a recording medium) in which a program code of software for realizing the functions of the above-described embodiments is recorded to a system or an apparatus, and to provide a computer of the system or the apparatus. (Or CPU or MPU) by reading and executing the program code stored in the storage medium,
Needless to say, this is achieved. In this case, the program code itself read from the storage medium implements the functions of the above-described embodiment, and the storage medium storing the program code constitutes the present invention.
In addition, by executing the program code read by the computer, not only the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized, but also based on the instructions of the program code,
The operating system (OS) running on the computer performs part or all of the actual processing,
It goes without saying that a case where the function of the above-described embodiment is realized by the processing is also included.

Further, after the program code read from the storage medium is written in a memory provided in a function expansion card inserted into the computer or a function expansion unit connected to the computer, based on the instruction of the program code, It goes without saying that a CPU or the like provided in the function expansion card or the function expansion unit performs part or all of the actual processing, and the processing realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments.

When the present invention is applied to the storage medium, the storage medium stores program codes corresponding to the flowcharts described above.

[0117]

As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to automatically add information relating to a photographing place to an image obtained by photographing an electronic image, and it is required to record the photographing place. The photographer can be released from special operations.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing (1) a photographed image, (2) a photographing place name, and (3) an image obtained by combining both.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a printing system according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating a flow of processing performed by a digital camera in the printing system according to the first, second, and third embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 4A is a diagram schematically illustrating a logical structure of each information stored in an image / DPF data memory in the printing system according to the first, second, and third embodiments.

FIG. 4B is a diagram schematically illustrating a logical structure of each information stored in an image / DPF data memory in the printing system according to the first, second, and third embodiments.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating a flow of processing performed by a printer in the printing system according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a part excluding a digital camera from a printing system according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating a flow of processing performed by a printer and a computer in a printing system according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a part excluding a digital camera from a printing system according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating a flow of processing performed by a printer and a computer in a printing system according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page F term (reference) 5B021 CC06 CC07 CC08 JJ03 QQ01 5C022 AA13 AC31 AC80 5C052 AA17 AB02 CC11 DD02 EE02 GA02 GA05 GB06 GB09 GC05 GE04 5C076 AA16 BA01 BA02 BA03 BA04 BA06

Claims (25)

[Claims] A first obtaining unit that obtains image information by an imaging unit; a second obtaining unit that obtains a position of the device by using a GPS when the image information is captured by the imaging unit; and the first obtaining unit. An image pickup apparatus, comprising: a storage unit that stores the image information acquired by the second acquisition unit in a storage medium, and stores the position information acquired by the second acquisition unit in the storage medium in association with the image information. 2. The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the position information is information indicating mildness and latitude. 3. The imaging device according to claim 1, wherein the storage medium is a removable memory. 4. The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a communication unit for transmitting the image information and the position information stored in the storage medium to an external device. 5. An acquiring means for acquiring, from a memory, image information to be output and positional information associated therewith, and an image generated by the image information based on the positional information acquired by the acquiring means. First generating means for generating data to be combined; second generating means for generating output data by combining data generated by the first generating means with an image based on the image information; outputting the output data An information processing apparatus comprising: 6. The information processing apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the memory is a removable memory. 7. Receiving data including image information to be output and positional information associated therewith from an external device,
The information processing apparatus according to claim 5, further comprising a communication unit that stores the information in the memory. 8. A storage unit for storing character information indicating a location in association with longitude and latitude, wherein the position information indicates longitude and latitude, and wherein the first generation unit determines the longitude and latitude indicated by the position information. The character string representing a location corresponding to the position information is obtained from the storage unit based on the latitude, and data to be combined is generated based on the obtained character string. Information processing device. 9. The information processing apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the output unit prints a visible image based on the output data. 10. The information processing apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the output unit transmits the output data to an external printing device. 11. The position information represents a longitude and a latitude. The first generation unit transmits the longitude and the latitude represented by the position information to an external device, and generates a character string representing a location corresponding to the position information. 6. The information processing apparatus according to claim 5, wherein data to be combined is generated based on the character string received and obtained from an external device. 12. A first acquisition unit that acquires image information by an imaging unit; a second acquisition unit that acquires a position of the device by using a GPS when the image information is imaged by the imaging unit; and the first acquisition unit. An image capturing apparatus, comprising: a storage unit that stores the image information acquired in step 2 in a storage medium, and stores the position information acquired by the second acquisition unit in the storage medium in association with the image information. Third acquisition means for acquiring the stored image information and the position information associated therewith, and data to be combined with an image generated by the image information based on the position information acquired by the third acquisition means A first generating unit that generates output data by combining data generated by the first generating unit with an image based on the image information; An image output system, comprising: an information processing device having output means for outputting force data. 13. A first acquisition step of acquiring image information by an imaging step; a second acquisition step of acquiring the position of the device at the time of imaging the image information by the imaging step by GPS; and the first acquisition step. A storage step of storing the image information acquired in the step (a) in a storage medium and storing the position information acquired in the second acquisition step in the storage medium in association with the image information. Control method. 14. The control method according to claim 13, wherein the position information is information indicating mildness and latitude. 15. The method according to claim 13, wherein the storage medium is a removable memory. 16. The method according to claim 13, further comprising a communication step of transmitting the image information and the position information stored in the storage medium to an external device. 17. An obtaining step of obtaining image information to be output and position information associated therewith from a memory, and an image generated by the image information based on the position information obtained in the obtaining step. A first generation step of generating data to be synthesized; a second generation step of generating output data by synthesizing the data generated in the first generation step with an image based on the image information; outputting the output data And a control method for the information processing apparatus. 18. The information processing apparatus according to claim 17, wherein said memory is a removable memory. 19. The communication method according to claim 17, further comprising a communication step of receiving data including image information to be output and position information associated therewith from an external device, and storing the data in the memory. A method for controlling an information processing apparatus. 20. A storage step of storing character information representing a place in association with longitude and latitude, wherein the position information represents longitude and latitude, and wherein the first generation step includes the step of generating the longitude and latitude represented by the position information. The character string representing a location corresponding to the position information is acquired from the storage step based on the latitude, and data to be combined is generated based on the acquired character string. A method for controlling an information processing device. 21. The output step according to claim 17, wherein a visible image is printed based on the output data.
The control method for an information processing device according to claim 1. 22. The control method according to claim 17, wherein the output step includes transmitting the output data to an external printing device. 23. The position information represents a longitude and a latitude. The first generation step transmits the longitude and the latitude represented by the position information to an external device, and generates a character string representing a place corresponding to the position information. The method according to claim 17, wherein data to be combined is generated based on the character string received and acquired from an external device. 24. An imaging apparatus, wherein: a first acquisition step of acquiring image information by an imaging unit; a second acquisition step of acquiring a position of the apparatus at the time of imaging the image information by the imaging step by GPS; A storage step of storing the image information obtained in the first obtaining step in a storage medium, and storing the position information obtained in the second obtaining step in the storage medium in association with the image information. , A third acquisition step of acquiring image information stored in the storage medium and position information associated therewith, and the image information is generated based on the position information acquired in the third acquisition step. A first generation step of generating data to be combined with an image, and combining output data generated by the first generation step with an image based on the image information. The second generation step, a control method for an image output system and an outputting step of outputting the output data to be formed. 25. A storage medium for storing a control program for implementing the control method according to claim 13 by a computer.