JP2002300513A - Electronic camera - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an electronic camera for recording information about the frame at each frame shooting time along with the image. SOLUTION: When a shutter button 5 is depressed fully ('YES' in #3), the object in the photographic frame is taken and the photographic image data is temporarily stored in a memory 304 (#4), and a menu screen is displayed on a LCD display unit 60 (#5). When a picture-taking key K2 is selected ('YES' in #8), a comment input screen is displayed on the LCD display unit 60 (#9). When each character is selected and the entering of the comment is finished in this screen ('YES' in #10), the image composited with comments is displayed on the LCD display unit 60 (#11), and the image data of the photographic image data composited with the comment data are stored on a memory card 20 (#12).

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an electronic camera capable of adding a desired comment to a photographed image.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. Hei 9-200612 discloses an image photographed by a digital camera or a recording medium for a digital camera from a digital camera or a recording medium for the digital camera for the purpose of expanding the diversity of image data photographed by the digital camera. There has been disclosed an image processing apparatus configured to take in data and synthesize desired character or handwritten images with the image data.

[0003]

By the way, if comments such as impressions at the time of shooting and shooting information (who went there, where they went, episodes) can be recorded together with the shot image when shooting the subject, This is desirable because when the image is reproduced, the memories of the scenery and the situation at the time of shooting can be revived more clearly.

In a conventional image processing apparatus, a comment is attached to an image of all frames recorded on a recording medium by editing work after recording a photographed image.
It is difficult to attach the impressions and detailed shooting information held during shooting. In particular, if there is time available between the time of shooting and the time of editing, it is difficult to remember impressions and the like at the time of shooting, and the attached information is often different from that attached immediately after shooting.

In the above-described image processing apparatus, a recording medium on which an image photographed by a digital camera is recorded is taken out of the digital camera, or the digital camera and the image processing apparatus are connected to a predetermined communication cable. In such a case, it is necessary to perform an operation of transmitting the photographed image data to the image processing apparatus by connecting the image processing apparatus, and these operations are troublesome. Further, when editing a captured image with the image processing apparatus as described above, start software for processing the captured image,
Since it is necessary to operate a large number of function keys and the like, it becomes a complicated operation especially for a beginner, and therefore, there is a demand for an image processing apparatus capable of performing the above-described image processing more easily.

[0006] From the above, the digital camera itself,
Although it is preferable to have a function of recording comments at the time of shooting, such a digital camera has not yet been proposed or commercialized.

[0007] The present invention has been made in view of the above,
At the time of shooting each frame, information on the captured image of the frame is
It is an object of the present invention to provide an electronic camera that can record an image together with a captured image.

[0008]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, when photographing is instructed, a photographing of a subject is performed by the photographing means, and the photographed image data is temporarily stored in the first recording means, and thereafter, An electronic camera for recording in the second recording means, an input means for allowing an operator to input character information when the photographed image data is recorded in the first recording means; Recording means for creating one image file using the photographed image data recorded in the means and the input character information, and recording the image file in the second recording means. Things.

According to the present invention, when the photographing is instructed, the photographing of the subject is performed by the photographing means, and the photographed image data is temporarily stored in the first recording means. When the photographed image data is recorded in the first recording means, input of character information of the operator is enabled by the input means, and when the input of character information is performed, the recording control means causes the first control section to perform the first operation. One image file is created using the photographed image data recorded in the recording means and the input character information, and this image file is recorded in the second recording means.

[0010] In this case, the image file recorded in the second recording means is such that the input character information is located at a predetermined position in the photographed image. An image file including one image data obtained by synthesizing the photographed image data and the character information may be created, and the image file may be recorded in the second recording unit. As in the invention described above, an image file is created in which the photographed image data and the input character information are correlated with each other to be one file, and this image file is recorded in the second recording means. You may.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the electronic camera according to any one of the first to third aspects, the electronic camera has a mode for inputting the character information. Reading means for reading the captured image data from the second recording means to the first recording means;
Further comprising input control means for enabling the input means to input character information when the photographed image data is read out by the recording means, wherein the recording control means comprises a photographed image recorded in the first recording means. One image file is created using the data and the input character information, and this image file is re-recorded in the second recording means.

According to the present invention, when a mode for inputting the character information is set, the latest photographed image data is read from the second recording means to the first recording means by the reading means. The input control means enables the input means to input character information. When the input of the character information is performed, the recording control unit creates one image file using the captured image data recorded in the first recording unit and the input character information,
This image file is re-recorded in the second recording means.

[0013]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A digital camera as an example of an electronic camera according to the present invention will be described.

The present digital camera reproduces a photographed image so that the memory of the scenery and the situation at the time of the photographing can be clearly revived. When taking a commemorative photo in front of Tokyo Tower, comments such as "At Tokyo Tower" or when photographing a baby, "Taro 3 months and 10 days old, sleeping", etc., should be taken at the same time as shooting the subject Another feature is that it can be added to a captured image immediately after that. Therefore, as will be described later in detail, the digital camera can input such a comment as described above at the time of photographing (during a series of photographing processes until the image data is recorded on the memory card). And a function to record the input comment on the memory card together with the photographed image.

FIG. 1 is a rear view of the digital camera 1 and FIG.
2 is a plan view of the digital camera 1. FIG.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the digital camera 1 includes a camera main body 2, and the camera main body 2
On the left side when viewed from the front, there is a grip portion 2a protruding forward (upward in FIG. 2) to improve the operability of the digital camera 1. A loading chamber 1 for loading a battery of the digital camera 1 is provided inside the camera body 2.
0 and a loading chamber 30 for loading the memory card 20 (see FIG. 6).

At approximately the center of the front of the camera body 2,
A lens group 40 movable in the optical axis direction is mounted,
The lens group 40 is configured to move in the optical axis direction by driving by a motor M (see FIG. 6) to change the zoom ratio and the like.

On the left side of the back of the camera body 2, there is provided a three-contact type slide switch 3 which can be moved up and down. This slide switch 3 turns on / off the main power supply of the digital camera 1. And the mode setting of the photographing mode and the reproduction mode. That is, when the slide switch 3 is slid to the uppermost position, the main power of the digital camera 1 is turned off.
N, and a shooting mode in which a still image can be shot is set. When the slide switch 3 is slid to the center position, the main power is turned off. When the slide switch 3 is slid to the lowermost position, the main power is turned on, and a reproduction mode is set in which a captured image recorded on the memory card 20 can be reproduced and displayed on the LCD display unit 60 described later.

The camera body 2 has a CCD (Charge Cou).
The imaging device 4 including a photoelectric conversion device such as a pled device is built in. The imaging element 4 photoelectrically converts a light image of a subject into image data composed of electric signals. The converted image data is subjected to various signal processing described later, and then the electronic viewfinder 50 and an LCD (Liquid
An image is displayed on the display unit 60 (Crystal Display).

An approximately central portion of the upper surface of the camera body 2 is provided with a projection 2b projecting upward from the upper surface. The projection 2b has an electronic viewfinder (EVF) having a smaller display size than the LCD display section 60. ) 50 are provided. The electronic view finder 50 includes a finder window 51 provided on the back side of the protruding portion 2b, an LCD (not shown) disposed behind the finder window 51 for displaying a liquid crystal, and a display by the LCD. And an eyepiece (not shown) for displaying the enlarged image in an enlarged manner. In the photographing mode, images captured by the image sensor 4 at, for example, every 1/30 (second) are sequentially displayed (hereinafter, this display form is referred to as live view display). The photographer can visually recognize the image displayed on the LCD by looking through the finder window 51.

The camera body 2 is provided with an LC
A display unit 60 made of D (hereinafter, referred to as an LCD display unit 60) is provided. Also on the LCD display section 60, the same live view display as described above is performed in the shooting mode. In the reproduction mode, the image recorded on the memory card 20 is reproduced and displayed. The LCD display unit 60 can be turned on / off by one of the buttons 70 described later, and the LCD display unit 60 is turned off to save power.

The shutter button 5 is provided on the upper surface of the right end of the camera body 2. In the digital camera 1, in the photographing mode, the image sensor 4 captures an image every 1/30 (second), performs live view display on the electronic viewfinder 50 and the LCD display unit 60,
When the button is half-pressed, the release standby state is established, and when fully pressed, the release is performed.

A switch Z1 is provided on the right side of the LCD display section 60.
To Z5 are provided. The switches Z1 and Z2 have a function of operating the motor M to move the lens group 40 in the optical axis direction. The zoom ratio of the subject displayed on the electronic viewfinder 50 and the LCD display unit 60 is changed in conjunction with the movement of the lens group 40 by operating the switches Z1 and Z2. The switches Z3 and Z4 have a function of frame-forwarding the reproduced image in the reproduction mode.
As will be described later, when the menu screen is displayed, it is also used when selecting an item displayed on the screen.

In addition to the above-described configuration, as described above, the digital camera 1 according to the present embodiment can input various character information for a photographed image when photographing each frame, as desired by the photographer. It has become. The digital camera 1 allows the photographer to select whether or not to add a comment before recording the photographed image data on the memory card 20. When the addition of the comment is selected by the photographer, character information is input. When a desired character information is input in this mode (hereinafter, referred to as a comment adding mode), the character information is recorded on the memory card 20 together with the photographed image data.

When the shutter button 5 is fully depressed and the release is performed, as shown in FIG.
On the right side of the screen, a screen (hereinafter, this screen is referred to as a menu screen) in which a plurality of item keys K for allowing the photographer to select the handling of the photographed image G is displayed.
It is displayed on the display unit 60. At this time, the image data of the photographed image G is not recorded on the memory card 20, and before recording the photographed image data on the memory card 20, the “record” key K1, the “transfer” key K2, and the “delete” key are deleted. The key K3 allows the photographer to select whether or not to record photographed image data on the memory card 20 and, if recording photographed image data on the memory card 20, whether to add a comment to the photographed image. Has become. That is,
When the "record" key K1 is selected, the image data of the photographed image G is recorded on the memory card 20 as it is, and when the "copy" key K2 is selected, a mode for adding a comment (hereinafter referred to as a comment addition mode) is set. ,
When the "Delete" key K3 is selected, the image data of the captured image G is deleted without being recorded on the memory card 20.

Of the keys K (K1 to K3), the currently selected key is distinguished by changing the color of the other unselected keys (in FIG. 3, The “copying” key K2 is the selected key. As shown by the arrow X, while the menu screen is displayed, the switch Z3 functions to move the key to be selected upward, the switch Z4 to move the key to be selected downward, and the switch Z5: Functions as a key for confirming the currently selected key.

In this menu screen, a "copy" key K2
Is selected, the digital camera 1 enters the comment addition mode, and a comment input screen shown in FIG. The comment input screen displays character keys for inputting various characters such as alphabets and numbers.

The character keys are displayed at the center of the comment input screen, and are composed of alphabet keys from "a" to "z", numeric keys from "0" to "9", and a plurality of symbol keys. Become. "＠" key,
A “,” key,..., A “<” key, and a “>” key are provided. The “Space” key is a key for providing a space, and the “Enter” key is a switch Z.
5 is a key for deciding to add a comment provisionally determined by 5 and displayed on the display section Y to the captured image G in FIG.

Among the character keys, the currently selected key is distinguished from the other character keys (unselected character keys) by changing the color or the like (see the comment in FIG. 4). On the input screen, the “j” key is the key being selected.)

Above these, in order from the left, a display unit Y for temporarily displaying the temporarily determined characters in the temporarily determined order, and a “De” for canceling the temporarily determined key are displayed.
An “l” key and a “CapsL” key for converting the selected alphabet into uppercase letters are provided. In the present embodiment, since up to 16 characters can be input, the display unit Y is provided with a space capable of displaying 16 characters.

While displaying the comment input screen, switch Z1
-Z5 function as selecting and fixing the character to be input. As indicated by arrow Z, switches Z1,
The character key being selected is moved left and right by operating Z2, and up and down by operating switches Z3 and Z4.
The character key being selected is provisionally determined by the operation described above, and this character is displayed on the display section Y.

When the input of the comment is completed on the comment input screen, the input comment is displayed on the LCD display section 60, as shown by an arrow P in FIG. The combined image G ′ is displayed until the recording processing of the image G ′ on the memory card M is completed.

Returning to FIG. 1, below the switches Z1 to Z5, a button for manually turning on / off the LCD display unit 60, a mode setting for determining an exposure control value, and the like are selectively set. An operation button group 70 including buttons and the like for displaying a screen on the LCD display unit 60 is provided.

FIG. 6 is a functional block diagram of the digital camera.

As shown in FIG. 6, the image sensor 4 converts the light image of the subject formed by the lens group 40 into R (red), G
The pixel signals of (green) and B (blue) color components are photoelectrically converted into a signal (a signal composed of a signal sequence of pixel signals received by each pixel) and output. The timing generator 100 includes the imaging device 4
It generates various timing pulses for controlling the driving of the control circuit.

The exposure control in the image sensor 4 is performed by adjusting the aperture of the lens group 40 by the aperture control driver 200 and the amount of exposure of the image sensor 4, that is, the charge accumulation time of the image sensor 4 corresponding to the shutter speed. .

The timing generator 100 generates a drive control signal for the image pickup device 4 based on a reference clock transmitted from the timing control circuit 101. For example, a timing signal for starting / ending integration (exposure start / end), Readout control signal (horizontal synchronization signal,
A clock signal such as a vertical synchronization signal and a transfer signal is generated and output to the image sensor 4.

The signal processing unit 301 performs predetermined analog signal processing on an image signal (analog signal) output from the image sensor 4. The signal processing unit 301
It has a (correlated double sampling) circuit and an AGC (auto gain control) circuit. The CDS circuit reduces noise of the image signal, and the level of the image signal is adjusted by adjusting the gain of the AGC circuit.

The A / D converter 302 converts each pixel signal (analog signal) of the image signal into a 12-bit digital signal based on an A / D conversion clock input from the timing control circuit 101.

The timing generator 100 has A /
A timing control circuit 101 that generates a clock for the D conversion unit 302 is provided. The timing control circuit 101 is controlled by a reference clock in the overall control unit 500.

The image processing unit 303 includes an A / D conversion unit 302
The black level of the pixel signal (hereinafter, referred to as pixel data) A / D-converted is corrected to a reference black level.
The level conversion of the pixel data of each color component (red), G (green), and B (blue) is performed to correct the γ characteristic of the pixel data.

The image memory 304 is a memory in which pixel data output from the image processing unit 303 is temporarily recorded. The image memory 304 has a recording capacity for at least one frame. That is, the image memory 304
Has at least a recording capacity of pixel data corresponding to the number of pixels of the image sensor 4, and each pixel data is recorded at a corresponding pixel position.

The LCD VRAM 400 has an LCD display unit 6
This is a buffer memory for image data displayed at 0. L
The CDVRAM 400 has a recording capacity of image data corresponding to the number of pixels of the LCD display unit 60.

The EVF VRAM 450 is a buffer memory for image data displayed on the electronic viewfinder (EVF) 20. EVFVRAM 450 is an EVF50
Has a recording capacity of image data corresponding to the number of pixels.

In the photographing standby state, the A / D converter 302 and the image processor 303 perform predetermined signal processing on each pixel data of an image taken by the image sensor 4 every 1/30 (second). After that, while being temporarily recorded in the image memory 304, the LCD
AM400 and transferred to EVFVRAM450, LC
It is displayed on the D display unit 60 and the electronic viewfinder 50 (live view display). Thereby, the photographer can visually recognize the subject image. In the playback mode, the image data read from the memory card 20 is
After a predetermined signal processing is performed by the overall control unit 500, LC
The data is transferred to the DVRAM 400 and reproduced and displayed on the LCD display unit 60.

The card I / F 600 is a memory card 20
An interface for writing image data to and reading image data from the interface.

The operation unit 700 includes various buttons and switches such as a shutter button 5 and switches Z1 to Z5.

The shutter button 5 is half-pressed (S1).
And a fully pressed state (S2) is a two-stage switch that can be detected. When the shutter button 5 is set to the S1 ON state, AF is performed by driving and stopping the lens group 40 by the motor M so that the contrast of the image data in the image memory 304 becomes highest. S1ON
The shutter speed (SS) and the aperture value are determined by determining the level of the image data in the image memory at the time.

The general control unit 500 is composed of a microcomputer, and controls the driving of each member in the camera main body unit 2 in an organic manner to totally control the photographing operation of the digital camera 1. Reference numeral 500 includes a RAM 501 for work of a microcomputer and a flash memory 502 storing a program of the microcomputer.

In addition to the above configuration, the overall control unit 500
Is a character data storage unit 50 for storing image data corresponding to each character displayed on the comment input screen shown in FIG. 4 in order to realize the comment input function described above.
3 and a comment synthesizing unit 504 for synthesizing a comment composed of the designated character with the captured image data.

As shown in FIG. 7, a character code is set for each of the character keys displayed on the comment input screen.
Reference numeral 3 denotes, for each of the above character codes and image data corresponding to each of the characters, for example, the "j" key on the comment input screen, as shown in FIG.
It stores a table in which image data composed of pixels (hereinafter, referred to as character data) are associated with each other.

As shown in FIG. 5, the comment synthesizing section 504 designates image data of an image in a predetermined area (in the present embodiment, a portion indicated by an arrow P in FIG. 3) of the display area of the photographed image G. This is replaced with comment data (a collection of character data), and the character data is combined with photographed image data.

When the comment to be synthesized is determined on the comment input screen, the comment synthesizing unit 504 reads out the image data corresponding to the character code of each character constituting the comment from the character data storage unit 503. Also, a position where each character data is to be combined is set in accordance with the number of characters to be combined, and pixel data of a captured image corresponding to the set position is replaced with designated comment data, and the character data is captured. Combine with image data.

For example, as shown in FIG. 3, when photographing a subject and adding a comment “Enjoy Climbing! (Total 15 characters including spaces)” to this photographed image, first,
On the menu screen, the photographer operates switches Z3 to Z5.
To select the "copy" key K2 to display a comment input screen on the LCD display unit 60. On this comment input screen, the switches Z1 to Z5 are operated to input all the characters "E",..., "!" To complete the comment, and the photographer specifies the "Enter" key.

When the "Enter" key is designated, in the digital camera 1, the comment synthesizing unit 504 of the overall control unit 500 causes the input characters "E",.
Is read out from the character data storage unit 503, the number of characters (15 in this case) is detected, and the image data of each character "E",. As shown in FIG. 5, it is determined to fit into the regions T1 to T15, respectively. Then, the photographed image data in the areas T1 to T15 is replaced with character image data and recorded on the memory card 20.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing a comment synthesizing process of the digital camera according to the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 9, the power is turned on by the photographer.
N (YES in step # 1), LCD display unit 6
0 and the electronic viewfinder 50 perform live view display (step # 2). The shutter button 5 is fully pressed by the photographer (YES in step # 3)
Then, the subject in the image frame is photographed, and the photographed image data is temporarily recorded in the image memory 304 (step # 1).
Along with 4), the menu screen containing the captured image is LC
Displayed on D display unit 60 (step # 5).

Next, in this menu screen, a "record" key K1, a "copy" key K2, a "delete" key K
It is determined whether any of the three keys has been selected (step # 6). If any key is not selected within a predetermined time (YES in step # 13), the image data of the captured image displayed on the menu screen is recorded as it is on memory card 20 (step # 12).
In this process, if the photographer forgets the recording operation and the menu screen is displayed for a relatively long time, the next shooting cannot be performed during that time, which is not preferable in terms of operability. is there. When "delete" key K3 is selected (YES in step # 7), the image data of the captured image temporarily recorded in image memory 304 is deleted (step # 14). When the "record" key K3 is selected (NO in step # 8), the image data of the captured image displayed on the menu screen is stored in memory card 2 as it is.
0 is recorded (step # 12). In the process of step # 8, if "copy" key K2 is selected (YES in step # 8), the above-described comment input screen shown in FIG. 4 is displayed on LCD display unit 60 (step # 8).
9).

In this comment input screen, when each character key is selected by the photographer and the input of the comment is completed (YES in step # 10), a synthesized image obtained by synthesizing the comment is recorded on the memory card 20. At the same time, until the recording process of the synthesized image on the memory card 20 is completed, the image is displayed on the LCD display unit 60 (step # 11), and the image in which the photographed image data and the comment data are synthesized on the memory card 20. When the data recording is completed (step # 12), the process returns to step # 2, and the live view display is performed again.

As described above, a desired comment can be added at the time of photographing a subject, so that when the image is reproduced, the situation at the time of photographing and the impression held at that time can be reminded more clearly. The taste of the digital camera 1 can be improved.

Further, since the digital camera 1 is provided with a structure capable of adding a comment to a photographed image, the memory card 20 on which the photographed image is recorded is taken out of the digital camera 1 or the digital There is no need for troublesome work such as connecting the camera 1 and the image processing apparatus with a predetermined communication cable, and when adding a comment to a photographed image, it is only necessary to operate the switches Z1 to Z5. The task of adding a comment can be performed more easily than a conventional one that operates keys and the like.

In this embodiment, a comment can be added to the image data recorded on the memory card 20 not only in the photographing mode but also in the reproducing mode. This is because, as described above, if no operation is performed within a predetermined time after the menu screen is displayed, the captured image data is stored in the memory card so as not to interfere with the shooting of the next frame. 20 is automatically recorded in the memory card 20 so that the photographer cannot input a comment unintentionally and the photographed image is
May be recorded. In addition, there is a case where the user once records without imprinting, but wants to imprint again. In order to compensate for these, in the digital camera 1, when the playback mode is set, the latest captured image is displayed so that a comment can be input. It can be added.

When the mode of the digital camera 1 is set to the reproduction mode, the latest photographed image is read from the memory card 20, and a menu screen (excluding the “record” key) including the photographed image is displayed. On the menu screen, when a new comment is to be added to the photographed image or when a previously added comment is to be changed, the "copy" key K2 is selected, and the above-described comment input screen is displayed on the LCD display section 60. And a comment can be input in the same manner as described above.

The comment synthesizing process of the digital camera when the reproduction mode is selected will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

When the mode is set to the reproduction mode, a menu screen (excluding the “record” key K1) including the latest photographed image among the image data recorded on the memory card 20 is displayed on the LCD display section 60. (Step # 2
1). This processing is performed so that even if a photographed image is recorded on the memory card 20 without a photographer's intention to input a comment unintentionally, a comment can be input to the photographed image almost simultaneously with photographing simply by switching the mode to the playback mode. Therefore, when the reproduction mode is set, the latest photographed image is displayed. Note that the switches Z1 and Z2 are operated by the photographer (step # 1).
22), the captured images displayed on the LCD display unit 60 are switched one by one (step # 23). This process is a process additionally provided with a function capable of adding a comment to a past photographed image after a lapse of time.

Then, the desired photographed image is displayed on the LCD display unit 6.
0 and the "copy" key K2 is selected (step # 24), the comment input screen of FIG. 4 is displayed on the LCD display unit 60 (step # 25). If "delete key" K3 is selected in step # 24 (NO in step # 24), the image data of the image displayed on LCD display unit 60 is erased from memory card 20 (step # 31). ).

In this comment input screen, when each character key is selected by the photographer and the input of the comment is completed (YES in step # 26), the synthesized image in which the comment is synthesized is stored in the memory card 20 as the synthesized image. Is recorded, and the synthesized image is L
It is displayed on CD display unit 60 (step # 27).

When the recording of the composite image on memory card 20 is completed (YES in step # 28), when other processing is instructed by the photographer (step # 2)
If YES in step 29, the processing is performed (step ♯).
30).

Thus, even when a photographed image is recorded on the memory card 20 without inputting a comment, by setting the mode to the reproduction mode, a comment such as a situation at the time of photographing or an impression held is almost simultaneously with the photographing. Can be added.

Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described.

In the present embodiment, the character data recording method is different from that of the first embodiment, and the other parts are substantially the same as those of the first embodiment. The description of the part is omitted.

FIG. 11 is an image diagram of a recording method of image data in the first embodiment, and FIG. 12 is an image diagram of a recording method of image data in the second embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 11, in the first embodiment, assuming that n image files are recorded on the memory card 20, the image file of each frame contains character data and photographed image data. And one piece of image data and tag data in which are combined. On the other hand, the second
In the embodiment of the present invention, instead of combining the character data and the photographed image data into one image data and recording the same on the memory card 20, as shown in FIG.
The photographed image data and the character data are treated as mutually independent data, and the two data are collectively recorded as one file in a state where they are associated with each other.

Also in this embodiment, if the photographed image data and the character data are read out at the time of reproduction and these data are reproduced into one image, substantially the same operation as in the first embodiment can be achieved. Obtainable.

In the above embodiment, the comment input function described above is applied to a digital camera.
The present invention is not limited to this, and can be applied to a still image mode of a video camera.

The second recording means in the first embodiment corresponds to the memory card 20 in the present embodiment, but is not limited to this, and may be a recording means fixedly provided in the digital camera 1, for example.

In the first embodiment, a partial image (erased image data) cut out for synthesizing character data may be stored and left in a state in which synthesis is possible again. . In this way, when the synthesized comment is deleted, the original partial image replaced with the comment is synthesized at the position of arrow P in FIG. 5, and the photographed image before the comment is added is restored. be able to.

Although the above-mentioned reproduction mode also serves as a comment addition mode, the comment addition mode may be set as a mode different from the above-mentioned reproduction mode.

In the above embodiment, the maximum number of characters that can be added is 16, but
The number of characters can be changed as appropriate, and the position where the comment is synthesized or attached is not limited to the lower side of the captured image, and the arrangement of the characters is not limited to the horizontal direction.

Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the alphabet is configured to be inputtable. However, the present invention is not limited to this. May be configured to be inputtable.

[0081]

According to the present invention, one image file is created by using the photographed image data once recorded in the first recording means and the inputted character information, and this image file is stored in the second recording medium. Because it was configured to be recorded in the recording means,
When the image is reproduced, the situation and impression at the time of shooting can be clearly reminded, and the taste of the electronic camera can be improved.

Further, a mode for inputting character information is provided, and when this mode is set, the latest photographed image data is read from the second recording means to the first recording means, and
When the character information is input, one image file is created using the photographed image data recorded in the first recording means and the inputted character information, and this image file is re-stored in the second recording means. Since the recording is performed, even if the photographer forgets to add the comment, the comment can be added later.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a rear view of a digital camera according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a plan view of the digital camera.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram of a menu screen.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of a comment input screen.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram of a menu screen including a photographed image after comment synthesis.

FIG. 6 is a control block diagram of the digital camera.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram of a table of character codes and character data.

FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram of character image data.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart of a comment input process in a photographing mode.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart of a comment input process in a reproduction mode.

FIG. 11 is an image diagram of a recording system of image data in the digital camera according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 12 is an image diagram of a recording method of image data in the digital camera according to the second embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 Digital Camera 20 Memory Card 60 LCD Display Z1-Z5 Switch 304 Image Memory 503 Character Data Storage 504 Comment Synthesis

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification symbol FI Theme coat ゛ (Reference) // G03B 17/20 H04N 101: 00 H04N 101: 00 5/91 J F-term (Reference) 2H054 AA01 BB11 2H102 AA72 BB08 BB22 CA11 5C022 AA13 AC01 AC13 AC69 CA00 5C052 AA17 AB04 AC08 DD02 DD04 GA02 GB01 GB09 GE08 5C053 FA08 FA27 GB06 HA30 HA33 JA16 KA03 KA21 KA24 LA01

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. An electronic camera which, when photographing is instructed, photographs a subject with an imaging means, temporarily stores the photographed image data in a first recording means, and thereafter records the photographed image data in a second recording means. Input means for allowing the operator to input character information when the photographed image data is recorded in the first recording means; photographed image data recorded in the first recording means and the inputted characters Create one image file using information and
An electronic camera comprising: a recording control unit that records the image file in the second recording unit. 2. The image file includes one image data obtained by combining the photographed image data and the character information so that the input character information is located at a predetermined position in the photographed image. The electronic camera according to claim 1, wherein 3. The image file according to claim 1, wherein the photographed image data and the input character information are associated with each other to form one file.
An electronic camera according to claim 1. 4. A reading means for inputting the character information, wherein, when the mode is set, reading means for reading recent photographed image data from the second recording means to the first recording means; An input control unit that enables input of character information by the input unit when the photographed image data is read by the first recording unit, wherein the recording control unit records the captured image data on the first recording unit. 4. An image file is created using the captured image data and the input character information, and the image file is re-recorded in the second recording means.
Electronic camera according to any one of the above.