JP2003179844A - Digital camera and album system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a digital camera that can easily produce an album. <P>SOLUTION: The digital camera is configured to comprise a browsing means that browses provided guide information: and a generating means that generates an electronic album on the basis of the browsed guide information and photographed image data. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2003,JPO

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a digital camera and album system for managing image data.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art For example, when a photograph is taken on a trip, the photograph is taken while sightseeing by referring to guide information described in a guidebook or the like at a travel destination. After returning home, he organizes the photos and creates an album, reminding him of his trip.

[0003]

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention] However, it takes time to create an album while recalling a trip. Also, creating an album becomes difficult when you can't remember your trip.

The present invention provides a digital camera capable of easily creating an album.

[0005]

According to a first aspect of the invention, in a digital camera, an electronic album is provided based on browsing means for browsing the provided guide information and the guide information being browsed and the image data taken. And a generating means for generating. Thereby, an album can be easily generated using the guide information.

According to a second aspect of the invention, in the digital camera according to the first aspect, the generating means is configured to generate an electronic album by using a guide text that is included in the guide information. According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the digital camera according to the first aspect, the generating unit is configured to embed captured image data in the guide information.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the digital camera according to the first aspect, the generation means replaces the image data in the guide information with the image data obtained by photographing. According to a fifth aspect of the invention, in the digital camera according to the first aspect, the generating unit is configured to generate an electronic album based on the guide information referred to at the time of shooting.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the digital camera according to the fifth aspect, the generating means is configured to generate an electronic album based on the guide information referred to immediately before photographing. According to a seventh aspect of the invention, in the digital camera according to the first aspect, the guide information is provided in a web page format.

According to an eighth aspect of the invention, in the digital camera of the seventh aspect, the guide information is HT.
The configuration is provided in ML format. According to a ninth aspect of the invention, in the digital camera according to the first aspect, there is provided position detecting means for detecting position information of the digital camera, and the guide information is provided based on the position information. did.

According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, in the album system, a browsing means for browsing the provided guide information, and a generation means for generating an electronic album based on the guide information being browsed and the photographed image data. It has a structure having.

[0011]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Embodiments of an image data management system according to the present invention will be described below. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the system configuration of an image data management system. The system of the present invention includes a digital camera 1, a digital camera 3, a server computer 2, and a server computer 4. The digital camera 1 and the server computer 2 are communicatively connected via a network such as the Internet. Similarly, the digital camera 3 and the server computer 4 are communicably connected via a network such as the Internet. Digital cameras 1, 3 via the Internet
An internet provider or the like is required to enable communication between the server computer 2 and the server computers 2 and 4, but the description thereof is omitted here because it is not directly related to the present invention. Also,
Although FIG. 1 illustrates a system using the Internet, it can also be realized by a system using a network such as a LAN (Local Area Network) or an extranet.

Further, the digital camera 1 and the digital camera 3 are communicatively connected to each other via a wireless communication line such as a wireless LAN, Bluetooth or infrared communication. The digital camera 1 images a subject and generates image data that is digital data. Further, the digital camera 1 connects to the Internet wirelessly or by wire, communicates with the server computer 2, and transmits the generated image data to the server computer 2. The digital camera 1 will be described later in detail with reference to FIG. Since the digital camera 3 is the same as the digital camera 1, the description is omitted.

The server computer 2 is a server including an image storage unit capable of storing the image data transmitted from the digital camera 1. In addition, the server computer 2 includes a database of highlight information such as tourist spots and theme parks, and map information, and provides a web site that provides a guide information providing service for distributing the information. The server computer 4 is the same as the server computer 2 and its explanation is omitted.

The internal structure of the digital camera 1 will be described below. FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram showing an internal configuration of the digital camera 1. The digital camera 1 has a CPU 1
01, communication circuit 102, monitor 103, switch circuit 1
04, built-in memory 105, memory card slot 10
6, an image processing circuit 107, and a GPS circuit 108.
Of course, other various circuits such as an image sensor are provided, but since they are not related to the invention, the description thereof will be omitted.

The CPU 101 controls a circuit built in the digital camera 1 and controls all controls of the digital camera 1. The communication circuit 102 is a circuit for connecting to a network such as the Internet wirelessly or by wire and transmitting / receiving a signal via the network such as the Internet. The digital camera 1 uses the communication circuit 102 to communicate with the server computer 2, other digital cameras and the like. The monitor 103 is composed of a liquid crystal display or the like, and is a monitor that displays a captured image, a menu screen, a warning screen, and the like. The switch circuit 104 is a circuit that is electrically connected to various buttons and switches provided in the digital camera 1 and detects operations of the various buttons and switches.

The built-in memory 105 is a memory that holds program data such as firmware for controlling the digital camera 1. Further, the built-in memory 105 holds various data such as site information other than the program data. The memory card slot 106 writes the captured image data in the attached memory card. The image processing circuit 107 performs image processing on the image pickup data output from the image pickup element. In addition, the image processing circuit 107
Performs image processing on image data transmitted from another digital camera. The GPS circuit 108 is a circuit for detecting position information.

Next, operation members and the like provided in the digital camera 1 will be described. FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the external appearance of the digital camera 1. The digital camera 1 includes a monitor 103, a release button 111, a communication button 110, and a dial 112. Of course, many other members are provided, but the description is omitted here.

The release button 111 is a button operated when taking a picture. The release button 111 functions as a two-state switch, which is a half-depressed state and a fully-depressed state when pressed. The communication button 110 is a button operated to start communication with another digital camera. The dial 112 is a dial operated when selecting a parameter when performing various settings.

By operating the buttons and dials provided on the digital camera 1, various settings can be made. The digital camera 3 also has the same functions and members as the digital camera 1. Next, the operation of the digital camera of the present invention will be described.

For example, when a friend and a friend go out during a trip and want a picture (image data) to be a subject together with the friend, a third party may be asked to take a picture. At this time, if each of the digital cameras brought to the third party is given to a third party to be photographed by each digital camera, it is recorded in the memory in each digital camera. Also,
When the setting for transferring the taken image data to the server computer 2 is made, it is transferred to a predetermined folder in the memory in the server computer 2. However, if you want image data for all the groups of several people,
Each digital camera needs to be photographed by a third party, which is a burden on the third party.

When a plurality of people have photographed image data with one digital camera, the image data is transferred using a terminal such as a camera or a personal computer after returning home or at an accommodation hotel. Plural persons can acquire the image data by matching or downloading the image data. However, in order to transfer and download each other, it is necessary to perform various operations, which is troublesome and there is a problem that the operations are unknown.

In the digital camera of the embodiment of the present invention,
In such a case, when the image is taken by one digital camera, the image data is automatically transferred to the other digital camera. Control for transferring image data to another digital camera will be described below. An embodiment in which image data is transferred from the digital camera 1 to the digital camera 3 will be described. FIG. 4 is a flowchart of the transfer control executed by the digital camera 1. The flow shown in FIG. 4 starts when the digital camera 3 of the transmission destination is wirelessly communicably connected. In the present embodiment, the buttons corresponding to the communication button 110 of the digital camera 1 are mutually operated to start communication between the digital cameras.

First, in step S101, communication with the destination digital camera 3 is performed to detect information such as the manufacturer and model of the digital camera 3. Next, in step S102, it is detected whether the digital camera 3 is the same model as the digital camera 1 of its own. If the models are the same, step S103
If not, the process proceeds to step S104.

In step S103, RAW data is set to be transmitted for the same model. Where RA
The W data is an image recording format in which the image pickup data output from the image pickup element is recorded as almost the same image data. RAW data is not versatile because it has a different format for each manufacturer. Therefore, the same manufacturer,
Since the RAW data cannot be reproduced unless they are of the same model, the image data cannot be subjected to processing such as size change and compression.

The reason for transmitting RAW data is R
This is because if the AW data is transmitted, the digital camera of the same model can process the image data having no image quality deterioration. On the other hand, in step S104, it is detected whether the digital camera 3 is a model capable of reading the shooting setting information. If it is a model that can read the shooting setting information, the process proceeds to step S105, and if it is a model that cannot read the shooting setting information, the process proceeds to step S107. The model from which the shooting setting information can be read is a digital camera designed so that the shooting settings can be read in advance. In step S105, the shooting setting of the digital camera 3 is acquired, and the image data according to the acquired shooting setting is set to be transmitted.

On the other hand, in step S106, it is set to transmit image data having a predetermined image size and compression rate. Next, in step S107, it is detected whether or not shooting control has been performed. If the shooting control is performed, the process proceeds to step S108, and if the shooting control is not performed, the detection is continued. In step S108, image data is generated with the set shooting settings. Then, in step S109, the image data is transmitted to the digital camera 3. Then, in step S110, image data is generated according to the shooting settings of the digital camera 1 of its own. In step S111, the generated image data is recorded in the memory according to the setting.

As described above, the received image data is compressed according to the photographing setting and recorded in the memory card or transferred to the server computer 2. Further, when the connected digital cameras 3 are of the same model, it is not necessary to perform image processing such as compression by the digital camera 1 by transmitting the RAW data, so that the processing load of the digital camera 1 can be reduced. . Further, the image data generated for the own digital camera 1 can be set to be transmitted to the server computer 2 without being recorded in the digital camera 1.

In the control in the above embodiment, the image data to be recorded in the own digital camera is generated after the image data is transmitted. However, after the image data to be recorded in the own digital camera is generated. Image data may be transmitted.

Next, control for recording image data transferred from another digital camera, for example, the digital camera 3 in the internal memory of the digital camera 1 or automatically transferring it to the server computer 2 will be described. FIG. 5 shows a digital camera 1.
It is a flowchart figure which shows the image data recording control performed by. The flow shown in FIG. 5 starts when the digital camera 1 detects the transfer of image data from the digital camera 3.

First, in step S201, image data is received. The received image data is temporarily stored in the internal memory 105.
Memorized in. Next, in step S202, it is detected whether the reception of the image data is completed. If the image data reception is completed, the process proceeds to step S203, and if the image data reception is not completed, the process returns to step S201.

In step S203, the image size is changed and the received image data is compressed. The image size change and compression are performed according to the image size and the compression rate specified in the shooting settings of the digital camera 1 of its own. Also, a thumbnail image of the received image data is created and stored in the built-in memory 105.

In step S204, the title name and the file name of the image data added to the received image data are changed according to the setting of the digital camera 1 of its own.
Next, in step S205, the received image data is displayed on the monitor 103. Then, in step S206,
It is detected whether or not the transfer setting for transferring the image data to the outside is set. If transfer is set, step S
The process proceeds to step 207, and if the transfer is not set, the process proceeds to step S209. In step S207, the image data is transferred to the server computer 2. In step S208, it is detected whether the transfer of the image data is completed. If it has been completed, the process proceeds to step S210, and if it has not been completed, the process returns to step S207 to continue the transfer of the image data.

On the other hand, in step S209, the image data is recorded in the memory card inserted in the memory card slot 106. Then, in step S210, the monitor 10
The image display of 3 is erased to notify that the recording is completed. Further, it may be displayed that the recording is completed for each recording destination.

By recording the image data in accordance with the recording settings of the digital camera 1 at the time of shooting in this way, even the transferred image data has the same image size and compression rate as the image data taken by the digital camera 1. You can record. Also, from the digital camera 3 to the server computer 2
If it is sent to the server computer 2, connection destination information, authentication information, etc. for connecting to the server computer 2 and recording image data must be set. However, by controlling the transmission via the own digital camera 1 as described above, the connection destination information and the authentication information registered in the digital camera 1 can be easily transferred to the server computer 2. Further, since the authentication information and the like are not set in the digital camera 3, it is possible to prevent the authentication information and the like from leaking in the digital camera 1.

Further, the built-in memory 1 in the digital camera 1
By storing the thumbnail image of the image data transmitted to the server computer 2 in 05, the server computer 2 can be stored without accessing the server computer 2.
You can check the outline of the image data sent to.

As described above, by operating a predetermined button similar to the communication button 110 of the digital camera 1 on each digital camera at the same time, the photographing setting information of the digital camera of the other party is read out, and at the same time the image data is sent to the other party. Will be automatically set to send mode. Further, it is not necessary to set which digital camera is used for shooting and transmitting and which camera is used for receiving. The control is performed so that the image data is transmitted from the digital camera that has taken the image to the digital camera that has not taken the image.

A digital camera for transmitting image data and a digital camera for receiving image data can be set in advance. Image data taken by one of the digital cameras may be stored in both digital cameras, and image data taken by the other digital camera may be set to be stored only in the own digital camera.

When taking a picture, it is recommended to take a picture with a digital camera capable of obtaining high-quality image data. This is because the image data taken by a camera with good performance capable of obtaining a high quality image can be about the same as the image data taken by a camera with poor performance, but the reverse is not possible.

Also, when the transmission mode is set, the transmission mode can be canceled by performing the operation for setting the transmission mode again. The control in the transfer mode will be specifically described below. Figure 6
3 is a flowchart showing the control executed by the digital camera 1. FIG. The flow shown in FIG. 6 is started by operating a button provided for the digital camera 1 for communication. The digital camera 1 will be described as one that communicates with the digital camera 3.

First, in step S301, it is detected whether communication has been established with the digital camera 3. If established, the process proceeds to step S302, and if not established, step S301 is continued. And step S30
In 2, the shooting settings set in the digital camera 3 are acquired. Next, in step S303, image data is set to be generated with the acquired shooting settings, and further, the generated image data is set to be transferred to the digital camera 3 with which communication has been established.

In step S304, it is determined which of the digital camera 3 which has established communication and the digital camera 1 of its own has higher performance. If the self is high performance, this flow is ended, and if the other party is high performance, step S30.
Go to 5. For example, whether or not the performance is high is determined by the number of pixels of the image sensor. Then, in step S305, it is set to display on the monitor 103 that high-quality image data can be obtained by photographing with the digital camera of the communication partner when the photographing mode is set.

As described above, it is possible to set to automatically transfer to the digital camera 3 when shooting is performed by controlling. In the digital camera of the above-described embodiment, the transfer is automatically performed to another digital camera only by a simple operation. The digital camera of the embodiment described below can be set to record the image data obtained by one shooting in the memories of two or more different recording destinations. Further, the digital camera can set the image size and resolution of the image data to be recorded for each recording destination.

Next, the recording setting control of the digital camera 1 will be described. The setting method will be specifically described below. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of a setting screen for making settings for recording image data after shooting in a plurality of recording destinations. The setting screen shown in FIG. 7 is displayed on the monitor 1 of the digital camera 1.
It is displayed on 03.

In the "recording destination" in FIG. 7, a recording destination for recording photographed image data, such as a memory card inserted in a digital camera, another camera, a server computer, etc., is displayed. The recordable destinations are displayed. "Recorded or not"
In, it is possible to set which recording destination of the recordable recording destinations is to be recorded. In the figure, the image data taken is recorded in the recording destination marked with "O", and the image data is not recorded in the recording destination marked with "X".

As the "format", the file format of image data can be set for each recording destination.
A file format for recording image data such as JPEG format, non-compressed, and RAW data is selected and set. "size"
The image size of the image data to be recorded can be set for each recording destination. The "compression rate" sets the compression rate of the compression applied to the image data to be recorded for each recording destination.

These settings are made by operating the buttons and dials provided on the digital camera 1. The digital camera 1 is shown in FIG.
The image data is generated according to the setting contents set for each recording destination set on the setting screen, and control such as transmission of the image data is performed so that the image data can be recorded in a plurality of recording destinations.

The control executed by the digital camera 1 for recording the image data in a plurality of recording destinations will be described below. FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing recording control executed by the digital camera 1. The flow shown in FIG. 8 starts by detecting that the shutter button 111 of the digital camera 1 is fully pressed.

First, in step S401, the image data obtained by photographing is stored in the built-in memory 105. Next, in step S402, the set recording destination setting information is acquired. Then, in step S403, it is determined whether or not the external memory is set in the recording destination. If the external memory is set in the recording destination, the process proceeds to step S404, and the external memory is not set in the recording destination. In that case, the process proceeds to step S408.

In step S404, it is detected whether the external memory is recordable. If recordable, the process proceeds to step S405, and if not recordable, the process proceeds to step S407. Next, in step S405, image data matching the recording settings of the external destination is generated. Next, in step S406, the generated image data is transmitted.
Further, it is displayed on the monitor 103 that the data is being transmitted. Then, in step S407, a message indicating that the image data cannot be transmitted and a transmission destination that cannot be transmitted are displayed on the monitor 103.

On the other hand, in step S408, it is detected whether or not a memory card is set as a recording destination, and if set, the process proceeds to 409, and if not set, this flow ends. In step S409, image data matching the recording settings on the memory card is generated. Then, in step S410, the generated image data is recorded in the memory card. Further, the monitor 103 displays that the data is recorded in the memory card.

In the above control, it is confirmed that the external destination can be recorded after photographing, but it may be confirmed before photographing. By making it possible to set the recording settings for each of the multiple recording destinations in this way, it is possible to set the size and compression rate of the image data required at each recording destination. Image data can be recorded in the recording destination. Further, since once compressed image data is decompressed to change the image size and then not compressed again, it is possible to prevent the image data from being unnecessarily deteriorated.

Next, the guide information browsing function of the digital camera 1 will be described. The digital camera 1 has a browsing function of displaying guide information on the monitor 103. The guide information provides an introduction of a tourist attraction or a highlight in a theme park, a map, etc., and is stored in the server computer 2 and distributed to the digital camera 1 via the Internet. Further, instead of providing the guide information via the Internet, the guide information may be stored in a memory card inserted into the memory card slot 106 in advance and provided by hand. The memory card storing the guide information may be sold for a fee, or the travel company may distribute it to travel participants free of charge. Instead of providing a memory card storing guide information, the guide information may be downloaded for a fee. This makes it possible to use the guide information even with a digital camera that does not have a connection function to the Internet.

The digital camera 1 has a photographing mode capable of photographing, a reproduction mode for reproducing photographed image data, and a guide mode for browsing guide information. The digital camera 1 displays the guide information on the monitor 103 when the guide mode is set. The guide information is information described in HTML format, and the digital camera 1 stores software to be browsed. FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a display example of the guide information. In the text column 901 in FIG. 9, highlight information and the like are posted in text, and in the image column 902, image information such as photographs and illustrations is posted.

By pressing the release button 111 halfway while the digital camera 1 is set to the guide mode, the digital camera 1 automatically switches from the guide mode to the photographing mode. As a result, there is no chance of missing a photo opportunity. In addition, the server computer 2 stores the tourist guide information used by the customer while traveling, provides the guide information, and provides a service of accumulating image data taken by the customer with a digital camera.

The customer's digital camera can obtain the guide information from the server computer 2 and browse it. The customer uses the guide information as a reference for sightseeing. The server computer 2 is a GPS built in the digital camera 1.
The GPS information output by the digital camera 1 is received, and the guide information matching the received GPS information is automatically distributed to the digital camera 1. Further, instead of being automatically distributed, it is possible to specify necessary guide information and distribute it.

Further, the digital camera 1 can store the image data photographed in association with the guide information. With this, it is possible to know by referring to the guide information associated with where the image data was taken, without having to create the file name and title of the image data individually.

The operation of the digital camera 1 will be described below. For example, if the user presses the release button 111 halfway while looking at the guide information of Tokyo Tower, the monitor 103 switches from the guide information to the image captured by the image sensor. When shooting is performed, page data in which image data is pasted in the guide information that was viewed immediately before is created. Alternatively, a file name of image data related to the title name of the guide information is created.

For example, in the guide information described in the HTML format, the image data provided on the guide information page in the HTML format is replaced with the photographed image data. Then, the HTML format data created in the folder of the customer who owns the digital camera 1 is recorded.

Further, the tour attendant will correct any changes in the travel schedule. Corrections are made in minutes. As a result, an album can be created by comparing the date and time information when the image data was recorded with the travel dates after shooting. The control regarding the guide information will be specifically described below.

First, the control executed by the digital camera 1 will be described. FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing the control executed by the digital camera 1. The flow of FIG. 10 is executed when the guide mode is set. First, in step S501, it is detected whether the position information detected by GPS has changed. If a change is detected, the process proceeds to step S502, and if not detected, the detection is continued.

In step S502, GPS information is transmitted to the server computer 2. Next, in step S503, the guide information is received from the server computer 2.
Next, in step S504, the received guide information is displayed on the monitor 103. Then, in step S505, it is detected whether or not the release button 111 is half pressed.
When the half-push is detected, the process proceeds to step S506, and when the half-push is not detected, the process returns to step S501.

In step S506, the display on the monitor 103 is switched from the guide information to the image information output by the image sensor. Next, in step S507, the release button 1
It is detected whether 11 has been fully pressed. If the full press is detected, the process proceeds to step S509, and if not detected, the process proceeds to step S508. Then, in step S508, it is detected whether or not the half-press of the release button 111 is released. If detected, the process returns to step S501, and if not detected, the process returns to step S507.

In step S509, photographing processing is executed according to the photographing setting. Then, in step S510, the image data generated by the shooting process is transferred to the server computer 2. Next, the processing executed by the server computer 2 will be described. FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing the control executed by the server computer 2. The flow of FIG. 11 starts upon detecting that GPS information is transmitted from the digital camera 1.

First, in step S601, GPS information is received. Next, in step S602, the received GPS
Search the guide information corresponding to the information. Then, in step S603, the corresponding guide information is set to the digital camera 1
To send to. In step S604, it is detected whether image data has been received. If detected, the process proceeds to step S605, and if not detected, step S60.
Return to 1.

In step S605, the received image data is stored. Then, in step S606, the image data in the HTML format page provided as the guide information is replaced with the image data received from the digital camera 1. Specifically, the text information posted in the text field 901 of the guide information page shown in FIG. 9 is left unchanged, and the image information posted in the image field 902 is replaced with image data obtained by photographing. . FIG. 12 is a diagram showing a display example of an album page. Text column 1 in FIG.
In 201, the text posted in the text column 901 of FIG. 9 is posted as it is, and in the image column 1202, the image column 9 of FIG.
The image information shown in 02 is replaced with the image data obtained by photographing.

Further, when a plurality of images are photographed in a place where there is only one image data in the guide information, the layout is changed from the layout provided by the guide information shown in FIG. 9, but a plurality of image data is displayed. You may edit it. Further, as shown in FIG. 13, individual image data to be displayed in the image column 1302 may be reduced and displayed according to the number of captured images so that the layout is not changed.

Further, the server computer 2 can determine the guide information according to the travel schedule of the customer having the digital camera 1, instead of determining the guide information to be transmitted to the digital camera 1 based on the GPS information. The server computer 2 holds travel schedule information,
Guide information is distributed from travel schedule information and time information.
That is, the guide information is distributed at the time when the customer who is acting according to the travel schedule needs the guide.
For example, the tour of the Imperial Palace is finished at 3 pm, and it is 3:30 pm
If the travel schedule is to visit Tokyo Tower from 3 minutes, the Tokyo Tower guide information will be delivered at 3:30 pm. Also, since it is impossible to prepare if delivered at 3:30 pm, guide information for Tokyo Tower may be delivered 10 minutes before or at 3 pm when the tour of the Imperial Palace ends. If there is a deviation or change in the travel schedule, it can be dealt with by correcting the schedule from a terminal such as a tour operator.

The control for transmitting the guide information according to the travel schedule will be specifically described below. The travel schedule information is stored in advance in the memory of the server computer 2 in association with the guide information. FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing the control executed by the server computer 2.

First, in step S701, the travel schedule is monitored to detect whether it is time to transmit the guide information. When it is time to transmit the guide information, the process proceeds to step S702, and when it is not time, the monitoring is continued. In step S702, the camera information of the customer's digital camera registered corresponding to the travel schedule is read. The digital camera registered corresponding to the travel schedule is a digital camera owned by a customer who participates in the travel schedule. Next, in step S703, the guide information suitable for the travel schedule is read and transmitted to the digital camera 1. Then, in step S704, it is detected whether image data is received. If reception is detected, the process proceeds to step S705, and if reception is not detected, the process returns to step S701. In step S705, the image data of the guide information provided immediately before is replaced with the received image data.

The server computer not only processes one digital camera, but also performs a plurality of processes to support a plurality of digital cameras. Further, instead of automatically transmitting the guide information to the digital camera according to the GPS information and the travel schedule, the guide information can be manually transferred to each digital camera by an attendant or the like.

Next, referring to the guide information browsed by the digital camera 1, a process for automatically creating a file name and title of image data obtained by photographing will be described. For example, when the digital camera 1 browses the guide information of Tokyo Tower for viewing the Tokyo Tower until just before the shooting, the file name of the shot image data is displayed.
For example, use tokyotower001, etc., or title the image data as Tokyo Tower.

The process of creating the file name and title of photographed image data will be specifically described below. Figure 1
FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the control executed by the digital camera 1. This flow starts when the shooting process ends. First, in step S801, the title portion of the guide information browsed immediately before shooting is extracted. Next, in step S802, the title of the guide information is generated as the title of the captured image data. Next, in step S803, the file name of the image data is generated as a name obtained by adding a serial number to the title of the guide information. The reason why the serial numbers are given is to prevent the same file name from being taken when a plurality of images are taken at the same place. Then, in step S804, a title and a file name are added to the image data and recorded on the memory card.

Next, a process of creating a file name and a title when recording photographed image data in the server computer 2 will be described. The process of creating the file name and title of the image data will be described below.

First, the control in the server computer 2 will be described. FIG. 16 is a flow chart for explaining the file name / title creation processing performed by the server computer 2. First, in step S901, guide information is transmitted to the digital camera 1. The server computer 2 always sends the digital camera 1 the guide information about the tourist spot currently required.
Next, in step S902, it is detected whether image data is received from the digital camera 1. If the image data is received, the process proceeds to step S903, and if not, the process returns to step S901.

In step S903, it is detected whether the image data reception is completed. When the completion is detected, the process proceeds to step S904, and when the completion is not detected, the detection is continued. In step S904, the file name and title of the transmitted image data are analyzed. Next, in step S905, it is detected whether or not the file name and title are created from the guide information. If it is created based on the guide information, the process proceeds to step S906. If it is not created based on the guide information, the process proceeds to step S907. And step S906
Then, the title is not changed, and the number and numeral parts of the file name are changed so as not to be the same as the file names of other image data.

Next, in step S907, the guide information transmitted to the digital camera 1 which is the transmission source of the image data before the photographing is detected. Next, in step S908, a file name and a title are generated based on the detected guide information. Then, in step S909, the image data is recorded in a predetermined folder registered by the owner of the digital camera 1.

As described above, the tourist spot guide information provided by the server computer 2 is information in response to a request from the digital camera 1, information according to a travel schedule, or information manually sent by a tour operator or the like. Any of next,
The control in the digital camera 1 will be described. Figure 17
3 is a flowchart showing the control executed by the digital camera 1. FIG. The flow shown in FIG. 17 is the digital camera 1
The process starts by detecting that the release button 111 provided at is fully pressed.

First, in step S1001, shooting control is executed to generate image data. Next, in step S, 100
2 extracts the specific information for specifying the guide information received from the server computer 2 immediately before the shooting. Next, in step S1003, the image data and the specific information of the guide information are transmitted to the server computer 2. Then, in step S1004, it is detected whether or not the information for accessing the transmitted image data such as the file name and the storage destination address information is received. If detected, step S
The process proceeds to 1005, and if not detected, the detection is continued.
Then, in step S1005, the access information is stored in the built-in memory 105.

By thus receiving the information for accessing the transmitted image data and storing it in the digital camera 1, the image data transmitted from the digital camera 1 can be easily accessed. In addition, the information delivered from the server computer 2 is not only guide information such as highlights of sightseeing spots but also admission ticket information, ticket information,
Hotel key information, various discount coupons, etc. are delivered. It becomes possible to enter by simply carrying the digital camera 1 or the mobile phone to which the ticket information was distributed,
You can enter the venue by showing or reading the monitor screen that displays the distributed information. In addition,
Instead of distributing the ticket information from the server computer 2, the necessary ticket information may be recorded in advance in a memory card or the like and distributed.

Ticket distribution control will be described below. Ticket information and ticket information are distributed according to travel dates and GPS information. Therefore, even if the digital camera 1 is lost, it will not be delivered unless it goes to the place at that time, and it will not be easily abused. By taking measures to cancel delivery when lost, it can be prevented from being used.

Also, by distributing each time, the memory capacity is not wasted by the ticket information in the main body. The ticket information to be distributed is decided to be used and has already been purchased or reserved for purchase. Note that a ticket recommending purchase and ticket information required on the spot may be distributed.

The delivery control of ticket information and the like will be specifically described below. FIG. 18 is a flowchart showing the control executed by the server computer 2. First, in step S1101, GPS information and travel schedule information are analyzed. Next, in step S1102, it is determined from the analysis result whether ticket information should be distributed. If ticket information should be distributed, the process proceeds to step S1103. If ticket information should not be distributed, step S1101.
Return to. Next, in step S1103, necessary ticket information is extracted from the analysis result. And step S110
At 4, the extracted ticket information is transmitted to the digital camera 1.

In the above control, the ticket information is distributed, but the ticket information and the guide information may be distributed at the same time. In that case, a page in which the ticket information is embedded in the guide information page may be delivered, or different pages may be delivered simultaneously. In such a case, it is sufficient to analyze the distribution time of the guide information by distributing the ticket information together with the predetermined guide information without having special control for distributing the ticket information.

In the above embodiment, the ticket is distributed based on two pieces of information, GPS information and travel itinerary information.
The ticket information may be distributed based on only the S information or the travel schedule information. Further, the ticket information distribution time may be determined and transmitted from other information instead of the GPS information and the travel schedule information.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a system configuration of an image data management system.

FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram showing an internal configuration of the digital camera 1.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing an appearance of the digital camera 1.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart of transfer control executed by the digital camera 1.

5 is a flowchart showing image data recording control executed by the digital camera 1. FIG.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing control executed by the digital camera 1.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of a setting screen for making settings for recording image data after shooting in a plurality of recording destinations.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing recording control executed by the digital camera 1.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a display example of guide information.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing control executed by the digital camera 1.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing control executed by the server computer 2.

FIG. 12 is a diagram showing a display example of an album page.

FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a display example of an album page.

FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing control executed by the server computer 2.

FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing control executed by the digital camera 1.

FIG. 16 is a flowchart for explaining a file name / title creation process performed by the server computer 2.

FIG. 17 is a flowchart showing control executed by the digital camera 1.

FIG. 18 is a flowchart showing control executed by the server computer 2.

[Explanation of symbols]

1,3 ... Digital camera 2, 4 ... Server computer 101 ... CPU 102 ... communication circuit 103 ... Monitor 104 ... Switch circuit 105 ... Built-in memory 106 ... Memory card slot 107 ... Image processing circuit 108 ... GPS circuit

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Claims (10)

[Claims] 1. A digital camera comprising: browsing means for browsing the provided guide information; and generating means for generating an electronic album based on the browse information being browsed and the image data taken. 2. The digital camera according to claim 1, wherein the generation unit generates an electronic album by using a guide text included in the guide information. 3. The digital camera according to claim 1, wherein the generation unit embeds captured image data in the guide information. 4. The digital camera according to claim 1, wherein the generation unit replaces image data in the guide information with image data obtained by shooting. 5. The digital camera according to claim 1, wherein the generation unit generates an electronic album based on guide information referred to at the time of shooting. 6. The digital camera according to claim 5, wherein the generation unit generates an electronic album based on the guide information referred to immediately before shooting. 7. The digital camera according to claim 1, wherein the guide information is provided in a web page format. 8. The digital camera according to claim 7, wherein the guide information is provided in an HTML format. 9. The digital camera according to claim 1, further comprising position detecting means for detecting position information of the digital camera, wherein the guide information is provided based on the position information. camera. 10. An album system, comprising: browsing means for browsing the provided guide information; and generating means for generating an electronic album based on the browse information being browsed and the image data taken.